Celebrities
A joint security task force invaded and arrested about 200 members during Catholic Mass in Okpo, Ogbaru Anambra
At least two members of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) were feared killed and over 100 others arrested yesterday in the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State when MASSOB members clashed with security operatives during activities marking the 16th anniversary of the group.
The thanksgiving services which held in all the states of the South East during the weekend, also led to the arrest of scores of MASSOB members in Aba and Nnewi, according to Daily Sun reports.
The group’s coordinator for Anambra North zone, Emmanuel Omenka, told Daily Sun on phone that the clash took place during the thanksgiving mass held at St. Lwanga Catholic Church, Okpoko, New Haven in Ogbaru Local Government Area. According to him, a joint security task force had invaded the venue and arrested about 200 members.
Omenka alleged that the joint security task force used brute force on them and told them point blank that they were carrying out the Federal Government directive on the clampdown on the group.
Also in Nnewi, Anambra State, members of the group also clashed with the Police in Nnewi, leaving five persons wounded and over 50 arrested in the church.
Regional Administrator, MASSOB, Anambra South, Mr Mrs. Virginia Ubazuonu said members were attacked without while in the church to thank God for sustaining them this far.
Daily Sun learnt that trouble started after MASSOB members had arrived the church and got seated. However, some of the members who arrived later were accosted by the police at the Traffic Light, a stone’s throw to the residence of late Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu residence.
On getting information that their members were being arrested at the Traffic Light, other members in the church were said to have mobilized to know why there were problem with the police without any provocation. There was a clash and the police started shooting which lasted for nearly thirty minutes. In the process, three MASSOB members were said to have sustained bullet wounds and the two people arrested were handcuffed by the police were rescued by their members who assisted them to the church for safety while the wounded were taken to an undisclosed hospital. She said the police later reinforced with over ten trucks and arrested over 50 of her members at the church gate.
“They were shooting at us but we were approaching them until we rescued our members. We did not provoke them. But they decided to attack us,” one of the MASSOB members at the scene of the incident.
Meanwhile, Aba zone of the movement, yesterday were undeterred by police presence as they held their scheduled thanksgiving service.
The Movement effectively beat police strategy as it successfully held the service in three churches in the city.
The police had as early as 6.00am, stationed armoured personnel carrier (APC) and fierce looking mobile and regular policemen in and around the Christ the king (CKC) Catholic Church where MASSOB had initially planned to hold the service.
Daily Sun gathered that members of the Movement got information days earlier about the police plan not to allow them access to CKC and made alternative arrangements for different venues which they kept to themselves.
But unknown to the police, as they were keeping watch over CKC and its environs, members of MASSOB were at three different churches within the Obohia Road/Crystal Park Hotel axis holding the thanksgiving service. The celebration was also peaceful in Okpoko, Anambra State when MASSOB members marched through the streets, in disguise without putting on MASSOB regalia or symbol. However, they chanted freedom songs. They later converged on a secluded field where they hoisted the Biafran flag, displayed banners and addressed journalists.
MASSOB zonal leader for Anambra Central, Chief Vincent Iloh in a speech said that it calls for celebration and glory to God that the struggle which started on 13th September 1999 has clocked 16 despite several bruises.
He announced the news of death of one of their member, Bartholomeo Onyeagba allegedly shot by the police in Awka that morning and another member also killed in Nnewi. He disclosed that they will continue fighting for the liberation of Ndigbo. He said that the struggle for self determination is a legal fight noting that those who fought for the independence of Nigeria from British colonialists were not hounded every time like their group.
Celebrities
Odumodublvck reveals how Don Jazzy gave him $10k the day he met him for collabo
Odumodublvck, the Nigerian rapper, has recalled how Don Jazzy, the music producer, gave him $10,000 during one of their meetings.
In a recent interview on Beat 97.9FM, the rapper, whose real name is Tochukwu Ojogwu, said he had reached out to Don Jazzy to collaborate on his song ‘Asampete’.
The 31-year-old said he felt that the music producer’s vocals were needed to complete the track.
Odumodublvck said during his visit to Don Jazzy’s residence, he was given the money and told that he could keep all the royalties from the song.
He added that Don Jazzy even offered to be featured as an artiste on the track.
“Don Jazzy is the king of Afrobeats. But ask anybody there is nobody who is more original than Don Jazzy. Don Jazzy is an OG. Respect to my brothers Burna, Wiz, Olamide, Dave all of us used to look up to him. Like the way we used to look up to them — Wizkid and David, they used to look up to him,” he said.
“…I just hit him up. The first day we did ‘Asampere’, I recorded a vocal that sounded like Don Jazzy’s vocal and I was like Don Jazzy should do it.
“When I went to meet him, he gave me a lot of money. I have to put it out there. I tell them everywhere I go. He gave me $10,000 cash. Don no be for mouth. He still gave me vocals.
“He now told me that I can keep all the royalties and I can keep him as a featured artiste. That day, they still cooked food for me to eat. They gave me turkey. The line for ‘turkey’ was already put in the song and that was God.”
Celebrities
Lil Smart files petition against Naira Marley, Zinoleesky over threat to life
Lil Smart, the Nigerian dancer, has filed a petition against Naira Marley and Zinoleesky over the alleged threat to his life.
On December 9, Smart shared disturbing photos and videos on social media, claiming his life was in danger.
He warned that Naira Marley and Zinoleesky should be held responsible if anything happened to him.
Zinoleesky, however, denied the allegations, accusing Smart of “chasing clout”. He also threatened legal action against the dancer.
In a recent Instagram post, Smart alleged he had previously endured bullying from the singers but lacked the evidence needed to take legal action.
He said he has officially submitted his petition with the necessary evidence to the authorities and is hopeful that the legal system will grant him justice.
“This has not been the first or third time I have been experiencing this bullying. But I did not have enough evidence to face the law. Now, I thank God that I have very good evidence, and I will put everything I have in line to make sure this bullying and threat to life is stopped,” he said.
“With my evidence, I really hope that they are not too big to be apprehended and face the law. I have submitted my petition, and I have provided my evidence to the authorities. By God’s grace, the law that binds us as citizens of Nigeria will make sure I get the justice I deserve.”
Naira Marley is yet to comment on the allegations.
Celebrities
Burna Boy gifts Seun Kuti custom-made diamond chain of Fela
Burna Boy, the Grammy-winning singer, has gifted colleague Seun Kuti a custom-made diamond chain designed in the image of Fela Kuti, his legendary father.
Seun shared a photo of the intricately designed chain via Instagram on Wednesday.
In the caption, the Afrobeat star revealed that Burna Boy presented him with the gift during their first meeting
Seun also expressed his appreciation to the singer.
“From @burnaboygram with love. We actually met properly for the first time and ODOGWU send gift. Thanks bro. Big love,” he wrote.
Burna Boy has often spoken about the profound influence Fela has had on his music and career.
He once described Fela as his “inspiration and childhood hero”.
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