Controversy has erupted after Police Officer Dolapo Badmus called for the arrest of a private school’s proprietor and head teacher for singing the old national anthem.

Just three days after President Tinubu signed the new national anthem into law, Officer Badmus declared that anyone unable to recite the new anthem in its entirety is a suspect.

While passing by the school, she overheard students singing the old anthem, which she deemed an act of sabotage against Nigeria.

She vowed to ensure the proprietor and head teacher face charges in court, though the specific offense was not specified.

In a statement, Officer Badmus wrote: “If, three days after the President signed the new national anthem into law, you cannot recite it in full, you are a suspect. I heard students singing the old anthem – ‘Arise oh compatriots’ – while passing by a private school.

We no longer ‘arise as compatriots’; we hail Nigeria now. I have called the police to arrest the proprietor and head teacher, and I will ensure they face charges. Consult a lawyer to learn more… Anyone not singing the new national anthem is sabotaging Nigeria, and I won’t tolerate unpatriotic behavior.”