Ruggedman Reportedly Detained—Here’s What’s Behind It

The Nigerian entertainment scene was rocked on Thursday following reports that veteran rapper and activist, Ruggedman, has been detained by the police in Lagos.

According to human rights advocate Harrison Gwamnishu, Ruggedman, real name Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, is currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba. The arrest was allegedly ordered by a Deputy Commissioner of Police in connection with unresolved matters within the Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria (PMAN).

Gwamnishu, in a post shared via Instagram, expressed concern over the handling of the situation. He stated, “@ruggedybaba is currently detained at State SCID Panti on the instructions of a Deputy Commissioner of Police over PMAN issues. No proper investigation has been conducted. He and others are being maltreated. I wish to draw the attention of Nigerians to what is going on.”

The news has since sparked heated reactions on social media, with fans, colleagues, and critics weighing in. While some users condemned the arrest as an abuse of power, others linked it to the rapper’s recent online feud with controversial social commentator Verydarkman (VDM).

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A post shared by Harrison Gwamnishu (@harrison_gwamnishu)

Ruggedman had openly criticized VDM’s confrontational style of activism, accusing him of abandoning the core message behind his campaign against unsafe products in Nigeria. The timing of the arrest has raised eyebrows among fans who believe the incident may be politically or personally motivated.

@jamnaija wrote, “Haba naw. He has an event on the 24th of this month oh.”
@sparkels1218 added, “Investigations are done before arrest in a normal system, but Nigeria is always the opposite.”
@lawdharry69 said, “Ruggedman say VDM no dey do am well. Now na system don carry am. We no dey learn.”

As of the time of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the Nigerian Police Force, and Ruggedman’s legal team has not yet spoken publicly on the matter.

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