The recent video of Seun Kuti, Afrobeat musician and son of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, physically and verbally assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge of Lagos has brought to light Nigeria’s pervasive impunity crisis. The video captured the level of lawlessness that runs deep in Nigerian society, where the strong oppress and intimidate the weak.
Even more worrying is the fact that Seun’s behaviour towards the officer is not an uncommon occurrence in Nigeria. The only reason it made headlines is because it was caught on camera. If not, the police officer could have faced punishment for defending himself against a “big man” like Seun. This is a clear indication that in Nigeria, power is abused, and the law of the land only applies to specific individuals.
The incident could have taken a more serious turn if the police officer had been hot-tempered, power-drunk or under the influence of alcohol. If he had pulled out a firearm and fired at Seun, the musician would have been dead, and the police would have been blamed for yet another extra-judicial killing. This is the sad reality that Nigeria faces—a country where conflicts between civilians and law enforcement could escalate into a dangerous situation.
Without systemic change in Nigeria, the country has no hope of making any meaningful progress. Impunity must be uprooted and replaced with respect for the rule of law. This will require a collective effort from all Nigerians to stand against corruption, oppression, insecurity and poverty, which are all products of impunity.
Seun Kuti’s assault of the police officer highlights the urgent need for a change in the way Nigerians respond to situations. It is time for the country to embrace the principles of justice, fairness and equality. Until impunity is eradicated, Nigeria will continue to experience a culture of lawlessness and abuse of power.
In conclusion, the incident involving Seun Kuti and the police officer should serve as a wake-up call to Nigerian leaders to take the issue of impunity seriously and address it with the highest level of urgency.
