The Lagos State Police Command has tendered a public apology for a mix-up following the alleged arrest of a popular Nigerian disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, aka DJ Switch.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the apology via his X handle Thursday, stating that the arrested DJ was “DJ Commissioner Wysei, not DJ Switch.”

Hundeyin wrote, “There is a mixup from our end. The arrested person is DJ Commissioner Wysei, not DJ Switch.

“Apologies for all the inconvenience to a few media outfits like Linda Ikeji, BBC and TVC that I gave confirmation this morning.

“Apologies to DJ Switch too.”

It was gathered that some media outlets had published the news of DJ Switch’s arrest on Thursday by operatives of the Nigeria Police.

One of the published news on the arrest reported that the female disc jockey was arrested for “obstructing police while on duty, resisting arrest, and assaulting officers.”

The report read that DJ Switch “was at the police station in Elemoro, Ajah on Monday, April 15 to complain about a man who allegedly defrauded her.

“According to the police, the man was arrested on the same day and has been in police custody.

“It was alleged that while the officers were about to drive the accused to court, DJ Switch blocked the station’s entrance and assaulted the female officer assigned to the case.”

DJ Switch garnered more prominence in 2020 when she took to her Instagram page to do a live coverage that showed protesters being shot at by personnel of the Nigerian Army at the Lekki Toll Gate during the #EndSARS protest that rocked the nation.

However, reacting to the news via her X handle Thursday morning, the disc jockey denied reports of her arrest.

She noted that while she is “not a fan of many of our policemen and women,” she doesn’t support “violence against the police.”

The DJ wrote, “Good morning all. I was woken up by a barrage of calls and texts this morning. I wondered why because I know today is not my birthday. Only to find that I have been arrested.

“One of the links that was sent to me alleged that I had assaulted the police. Now, while I am not a fan of many of our policemen and women, I do not condone nor support violence against the police.

“Our blogs have such an unhealthy appetite for traffic that they can’t even spend the transport fare it would cost them to go investigate and make certain of the news they share with the public. This false reporting is dangerous and negatively shapes narratives.”

She accused the media outlets that made the report of defamation of character, adding that they “have till the end of the day to take down this false news and kindly replace with a post correcting their mistake.”

Her tweets read, “Many people want so badly to believe I am just like those I’ve fought against or believe that I have sacrificed all I have ever worked for just to bring down Nigeria. This is false.

“That being said, my lawyers have screenshotted every blog they can find this false news and this is defamation of my character. These blogs have till the end of the day to take down this false news and kindly replace it with a post correcting their mistake.

“I am not looking for cheap publicity, I hate clout chasing and I actually am not an ass because I was advised to sue immediately which would cost them all a lot. So please do the needful and let us learn. Thank you!”

However, DJ Switch later acknowledged the State PPRO’s apology, saying, “Thank you! Apologies accepted.”

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos state, has offered moral support to Tunde Onakoya, the founder of Chess in Slums Africa, who is attempting to break the Guinness World Record (GWR) for the longest chess marathon.

Onakoya commenced the exercise on Wednesday at Times Square, New York City, US.

The chess expert aims to play different games for 58 hours without losing a single game. He is only allowed five-minute breaks every hour during the course of the attempt.

In a statement via X, Sanwo-Olu commended Onakoya for “taking a bold move to redefine possibilities” as he targets the GWR record.

The governor also described Onakoya’s ‘Chess in Slum Africa’ initiative as evidence that “greatness can emerge from anywhere”.

“Every grand victory starts with a single, bold move akin to a daring gambit—a bold move to redefine possibilities,” he wrote.

“@Tunde_OD; Lagos is rooting for you as you attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon at Times Square in the heart of New York.

“Taking the story of the phenomenal work you started in Lagos with young children to a global stage is a powerful testament to how greatness can emerge from anywhere.”

On his part, Yemi Osinbajo, the former vice-president, in an Instagram post, urged Onakoya to “show the world the strength and determination you’re made of”.

Similarly, Atiku Abubakar, another former vice-president, wrote: “Dear @Tunde_OD, I join millions of Nigerians at home and abroad in wishing you the best in your quest to break the Guinness World Record for the Longest Chess Marathon. Your can-do spirit thus far has been truly inspirational. I am rooting for you to break new ground. -AA”.

The longest chess marathon stands at 56 hr 09 min 37 seconds.

Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad, two Norwegians, set the record on November 11, 2018.

Announcing the attempt, Onakoya said he hopes to empower illiterate children across Africa through the feat.

“Doing this for the dreams of millions of children across Africa without access to education. You guys have been rock solid for me through the years,” he said.

“So I need all of us to come together now more than ever to show the world that the Nigerian spirit is unwavering and we can do great things from a small place against all odds.”

Nigerian Disc jockey, Obianuju Catherine Udeh popularly known as DJ Switch has been arrested by the police in Lagos.

According to blogger, Linda Ikeji, the famous DJ is currently being taken to the Magistrate Court in Eti-Osa. A police source who spoke to LIB said DJ Switch visited the police in Elemoro, Ajah on Monday, April 15th to complain about a man who allegedly defrauded her. The police stated that the man was arrested the same day, she made the complaint and has been in police custody.

The police further told LIB that Switch was invited on Wednesday, April 27th to inquire from her what exactly she wanted, whether for the accused to be charged to court or for him to be released on hail as it is against the law to detain an accused for more than 48 hours. The source alleged that DJ Switch insisted that the wanted the accused to make an apology which she would record and then post online which the accused bluntly refused.

The police made the decision to take the matter to the court for settlement since both parties were unable to resolve their differences amicably and settle.

Things took a swift turn when the officers were about to drive out with the accused to court and DJ Switch allegedly used her vehicle to block the entrance of the station and allegedly assaulted the female officers attached to the case. Her behavior cost her an arrest for obstructing police while on duty, resisting arrest as well as assaulting police officers. The accused was taken to the court and was remanded in prison custody.

DJ Switch, on her party is currently on her way to the Magistrate Court in Eti-Osa where she will be arraigned for obstructing police officers while on duty and assaulting officers.