I missed five or six big shows over saga with Nigerian Police. Nigeria wanted my life to be ended – Seun Kuti

Afrobeats artist Seun Kuti, widely known in the Afrobeats music scene, accused Nigerians of nearly jeopardizing his career after the clash he had with a police officer. Seun was brought before the Lagos State magistrate’s court and confined at the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Panti, Yaba. The charges were related to an alleged assault on a police officer that took place on Third Mainland Bridge in May 2023. In a video that went viral on the internet, Seun was seen slapping a police officer after a heated argument, prompted by his desire to protect himself and his family.

In an Instagram live video where he discussed the severity of the crisis he experienced during that period, Seun Kuti revealed that the incident brought him perilously close to losing his entire music career.

“I’m tired of seeing my name everywhere attached to Sam Larry, Naira Marley, arrest or no arrest, police or no police. I’m really tired and I don’t want you guys to join me in your issues.

“That was how una used una mouth nearly spoil my life, nearly destroying my career with una yeye keypad and computer. I missed five or six big shows this summer just because I defended my life and the life of my family. For that reason Nigerians wanted my life to be ended, for me to be destroyed and no body cared.

“Nigeria Police suddenly became an innocent and peaceful force on earth. And Seun became the mad person that left his house looking for police to quarrel with. That was the picture you people painted about me then.”