Assault on Govt Officials: Fugitive Portable Officially Declared Wanted, Police Warns Harbourers

By Dansu Peter  The Ogun State Police Command has officially declared controversial singer Habeeb Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, want...

By Dansu Peter 

The Ogun State Police Command has officially declared controversial singer Habeeb Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, wanted for allegedly orchestrating a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, the incident occurred on February 5, 2025, at around 10:00 a.m. when three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office – TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi – were conducting an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota.

The officials reportedly met an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father, at Odogwu Bar, a property linked to the singer. Upon requesting the building’s approved plan, the man informed them that Portable was not available. However, within moments, Portable allegedly appeared at the scene, leading a gang of nine thugs armed with firearms and dangerous weapons to launch a brutal assault on the unarmed officials.

The victims sustained varying degrees of injuries but managed to escape and reported the assault to the Ota Area Command. The case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action.

While nine of Portable’s accomplices were arrested and arraigned, the singer himself fled and has since gone into hiding, ignoring multiple police invitations.

“In light of his continuous evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring Portable wanted,” the statement read.

The police have issued a stern warning to individuals or groups harbouring the fugitive singer, emphasizing that anyone found aiding him will face legal repercussions.

"Members of the public are strongly advised to provide any valuable information that can lead to his immediate arrest. Anyone found aiding or harbouring the suspect will face legal consequences," Odutola warned.

The public is urged to report any useful information to the nearest police station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through its official communication channels.

This development follows the arraignment of nine of Portable’s alleged accomplices before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on charges of felony, assault, unlawful restriction, possession of weapons, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace.

The defendants – Nurudeen Warris (21), Adetola Alashe (25), Samuel Adeleke (28), Oluwaseun Ayenuwa (19), Oluwapelumi Adeosun (20), Gospel Kanu (20), Precious Ohiegebo (19), Ifeoluwa Babatunde (27), and Fatimo Muhammed (26) – pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Police prosecutor, Sunday Ekong, informed the court that the defendants, alongside Portable, who remains at large, unlawfully assaulted and obstructed three town planning officers – Abidemi Onabanjo, Ramon Lateef, and Akinpelumi Oyero – during their official duties at Odogwu Bar. He further alleged that the group was armed and acted in a manner likely to cause public unrest.

The offences contravene Sections 516, 356(3), 80, 249(d), and 320 of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun State, 2006.

Presiding over the case, Magistrate O.M. Somefun granted each of the defendants bail set at N5 million, with sureties in like sum, specifying that the sureties must be licensed bondsmen registered with the Ogun State Government.

The case was adjourned until March 17, 2025, for further hearing.