Metro

Mohbad’s father demands probe of late son’s wife

Published

12 months ago

March 1, 2024

Joseph Aloba, the father of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad, has called on the Nigeria Police to summon the wife of his deceased son, Omomunmi, to provide insights into the death of his son.

He disclosed this in a statement signed by the family and sent to newsmen on Wednesday.

Journalists had reported that Aloba filed a suit seeking to call more witnesses in the bid to unravel the cause of the death of his late singer-son.

In the application signed by his legal team, the witnesses requested to testify before the court include, “Ayobami Fisayo aka Spending; Boluwatife Adeyemo aka Darosha and Ibrahim Owodunni aka Prime Boy; all of whom were with the deceased at the material time.”

It was noted that the testimonies of the witnesses in the ongoing inquest would provide more factual, evidential, and better light on the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s death.

Meanwhile, the Aloba family in a statement sent to Newsmen on Wednesday, Mohbad’s father said Omowunmi’s testimony could also be instrumental in shedding more light on the circumstances leading to the death.

The statement read in part, “It has come to our attention that Omomunmi Adebanjo, the wife of the late Mohbad, has expressed her knowledge of critical information related to his death.

We urge the relevant authorities to extend an invitation to Omowunmi Adebanjo to provide her testimony and insights into this tragic event. We believe that her cooperation and testimony could be instrumental in shedding light on the circumstances leading to Mohbad’s demise.”

While citing the sensitive nature of the matter, he also urged the police to provide security to ensure her safety whenever she comes forward to share her knowledge with the authorities.

“We implore you (the police) to prioritise this investigation and take swift action to uncover the truth behind Mohbad’s death. The Aloba family and the public deserve closure, and justice must prevail,’ the statement added.

While noting that another sitting at the coroner inquest was coming up in a few days, he stated that “the opportunity is still there for you to go and tell them the truth you know.”

The deceased singer’s father also disclosed that he had filed a suit seeking a Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) test for his grandson, Liam, at the Magistrates’ Court sitting in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

Mohbad’s wife, Omowunmi, recently stated in an Instagram post that she had since November been waiting for a court order to proceed with the paternity test.

While stating that he owed Liam a duty to protect him, Mohbad’s father added that the move was to resolve the issues surrounding his paternity for future purposes.

He said, “Since the issue of Liam Aloba’s paternity is in the public domain, especially on social media, this information will continue to be there for now and maybe forever.

As a grandfather to Liam Aloba, I owe the duty of protecting him now, and the future is at stake if the issue of paternity is not resolved now, and it will hurt her and the son in the future.

Anyone can call him any bad name which I will not want that to happen to him now or in the nearest future. Wunmi Adebanjo, as a mother to Liam Aloba too, it is my thinking and belief that you will not like a situation where, in the future, people will use or call Liam Aloba any unpleasant name.

‘Since she wants a court order to do the DNA, my legal team has approached the court in that regard, the suit has been filed.

Her legal team should do the needful whenever the court serves them by not frustrating the process so that Liam Aloba, whether he is my grandson or not, deserves the right to a good life without any blemish to his name and his existence on earth. If this is the only thing you can do to save him from future embarrassment, please do it for him as a mother; let him have a peaceful life to live.”

Mohbad died on September 12 at the age of 27, with circumstances surrounding his death sparking controversies on social media.

Being a former record label signee of Marlian Music owned by Naira Marley, Mohbad left the label in February 2022.

The Lagos State Police Command had on September 18, 2023, inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the singer’s death.

His death also led to the arrest of Naira Marley, and controversial Lagos socialite, Balogun Eletu, aka Sam Larry, amongst others.

The body of Mohbad was on September 21, 2023, exhumed for autopsy to unravel the cause of his death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had tweeted in September 2023 that an “autopsy has been concluded” and the police were “awaiting result.”

In the course of their probe, the police declared Primeboy wanted on October 4, 2023, after which he turned himself in two days after.

Meanwhile, Aloba, in November 2023, had stated that nobody should collect his son’s body for burial without his authorisation.

In an interview with the press in December 2023, Hundeyin reiterated that the command had not received the report of the autopsy conducted on Mohbad from the pathologists.

Metro

Days After Massacre Of 16 Farmers, Armed Herdsmen Return To Benue Community, Kill Many Villagers

Published

3 hours ago

February 22, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

“Suspected armed Herdsmen came to Ayin Benue State yesterday night to attack our people again. This attack claimed the lives of multiple villagers and we are still recovering corpses in the bush till now,” a top source told SaharaReporters.

“However, the traditional rulers are trying to hide the situation from escalating.”

Attacks by suspected herdsmen in Benue State have led to the killing of at least 5000 persons in recent times.

The latest attack is coming three days after 16 farmers were ambushed and killed on Kashimbila Road in the state while returning to their community in Mbandwa ward.

The farmers were returning home on Monday when they were ambushed.

Their bodies were dumped in the river by the gunmen.

SaharaReporters had also reported that the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) had withdrawn all corps members from Mbaa community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State due to escalating violent attacks.

Confirming the development on Thursday, the Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations of NYSC in Benue, Yahuza Adamu, said the withdrawal was prompted by incessant security threats in the area.

“Since the beginning of incessant attacks on Mbaa Community which shares boundary with the Republic of Cameroon, NYSC withdrew all Corps Members from the area, and has not posted any there till date,” the statement had read.

The situation in Mbaa has worsened, with suspected armed herders reportedly killing over 20 people, including 16 farmers whose bodies were discovered in River Katsina Ala.

Adamu assured parents and guardians that NYSC remains vigilant and committed to the welfare of corps members.

He stated that the NYSC Kwande Local Government Inspector had conducted a headcount, confirming that all corps members were safe and accounted for.

“Hence, all Corps Members serving in Jato Acka Turan, which is far away from the affected community, are not exposed to any security threat,” he added.

The NYSC official stressed that the organisation takes proactive measures to safeguard corps members.

Credit: SaharaReporters

Metro

SAD! School building collapses in Yobe, students sustain injuries

Published

1 day ago

February 21, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Halima Ibrahim, a Senior Secondary (SS) 2 student of Government Girls Science and Technical College, Potiskum, died on Thursday, following the collapse of their school building during lessons.

Four other students of the school are currently receiving treatment in hospital as a result of the tragedy.

Dr Bukar Aji, Permanent Secretary, Yobe Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, confirmed the incident at a news conference on Thursday in Damaturu.

He said the incident occurred at about 1 pm on Thursday, when a block of two classrooms collapsed on the students during lessons.

“Actually, what happened was that a block, which contains two classrooms, came down to the corridors of the classroom.

“Unfortunately, five of our students were affected.

‘‘One of them gave up along the line, and four of them are in good condition, according to the medical doctor who was in the hospital,” Aji said.

The permanent secretary said that there were about 50 students altogether in both classes, with each class containing 25 students.

“They were in session and they are SS2 students.

“We visited them and actually, they were traumatised,” Aji said.

The permanent secretary said the ministry was waiting for an official report from the school so as to inform the state Ministry of Housing about the development.

“ The ministry is more competent to identify the root cause of the problem and identify measures to prevent future occurrence,” he said.

(NAN)

Metro

NYSC members in panic mode as armed men dislodge Benue community k!lling 20 near army base

Published

2 days ago

February 20, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members serving in Jato Aka Turan community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State are currently crying for an urgent security help as they said that herdsmen who launched fresh attacks in the community have killed no fewer than 20 people in two days.

According to the corps members who spoke with SaharaReporters on Wednesday, the herdsmen in an uninterrupted sustained attack between Sunday and Tuesday killed at least 20 and injured several others, throwing the community into chaos and tension.

The corps members lamented that Jato Aka Turan community, which is not far from a Nigerian Army base, is known for security vulnerability as they often watch in broad daylight how more than 20 motorcyles loaded with armed men and ammunition pass around the villages.

They said that the security situation in the community is so bad that their Local Government Inspector (LGI) hardly comes to the community except for the monthly clearance exercise, and that the LGI told them that if the attacks enveloped Jato Aka Turan community, they should move to neighbouring Adikpo community.

A corps member serving in another community in the state told SaharaReporters on Wednesday, “I have been able to speak with one of us at Jato Aka Turan, the affected area of Kwande Local Government Area.

“He said Jato is a far remote village from Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area Secretariat main town.

“The LGI hardly goes there except for clearance. Likewise, the corps members there have their own activities and CDS there. They are about 21 serving corps members there in Jato Aka Turan, Kwande LGA.

“The corper who I spoke with, who is currently serving at Jato Aka Turan emphasised on challenges and said that they are not safe and they have reported to the LGI.

“According to him, the LGI said when the issue gets there, in their community, they should move to Adikpo.

“They also went to the nearby military checkpoint, a mini barrack and complained to them. The military men said anytime there is a problem, they (corpers) should contact them.

“Corps members in Jato Aka Turan often watch in broad daylight more than 20 bikes loaded with men and ammunition who head to the nearby communities to fight herdsmen.

“When they (vigilante) relent, herdsmen attack and kill the villagers. If nothing is done about the corps members, God forbid, I fear they might be affected.”

A Facebook user with name, Wase Richie Aondofa, who posted about the attacks on Facebook with some gory photos wrote,

“Pictorial evidence of series of attacks in different communities in my village yesterday, at Jato Aka Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State by the Fulani herdsmen.

“Several lives were lost and properties worth millions destroyed. We are calling on all the relevant agencies responsible for this to please come for our rescue.

“We are dying! My village, Jato Aka Turan, Kwande Local Government Area, is no longer safe. God may your will be done.”

SaharaReporters also got a screenshot of a WhatsApp status of one the corps members which read, “Fulani X men (Fulani herdsmen) killed not less than 20 people between Sunday and yesterday (Tuesday) in a village very close to my PPA centre (Place of Primary Assignment) and NYSC staff told us in camp ‘No insecurity in Benue’.

“This fight started in 2014, meaning NYSC staff are aware of this fight. Today, helicopter fly over the school where I teach (PPA).

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) went to the village to shell the area. The students started running when they heard the sound of the bomb. We sent them back to the class.”

However, when SaharaReporters called the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Anene Sewuese Catherine, for reaction and comment on the police action on the incident, she rejected the calls.

Anene however sent a text message to our reporter saying, “Can’t talk now. What’s going on?”

However, till the time of filing this report, the police spokesperson has not responded to a text message.

Credit: SaharaReporters