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
Plantashun Boiz attempted reunions failed because I wasn’t invited, says Blackface
Blackface, the Nigerian dancehall singer, says Plantashun Boiz, a defunct music group, multiple attempts to reunite failed because he was not included.
Formed in 2000 with 2Baba and Faze, Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004 but briefly reunited in 2007 for an album.
In a recent episode of the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ podcast, the host asked Blackface if there was any chance that the group might come back together.
The singer disclosed that his colleagues had attempted to reunite without him but were unsuccessful.
“Without me, they have tried and they have failed. Many times. You saw them in all those shows that they were going,” he said.
“They tried but they failed. But what I must say is I’m the plantation. So let it be known. Forget the fake memo that they spread before.”
In September, Blackface called for the reunion of the defunct music group.
He urged fans to join the mission, emphasising that “unity is strength, not division”.
“My people oya make una talk put mouth for this matter! We are on a mission for world peace and it’s not a small-time thing,” he said in pidgin English.
Since 2015, Blackface constantly tackled 2Baba for recording 2004 hit ‘African Queen’ which he claimed he wrote.
In 2017, he argued that 2Baba “sabotaged” his career in the music industry.
Celebrities
Despite feud, Peter Okoye celebrates Paul on 43rd birthday
Peter ‘Mr P’ Okoye, the Nigerian singer, has celebrated Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye, his twin brother, on their 43rd birthday amid their ongoing feud.
The twin brothers have been in the public eyes since their second fallout in August.
They had their first rift in 2017 which led to the dissolution of Psquare, their music brand. Though they reunited in November 2021, their reconciliation was short-lived.
Paul recently revealed another fallout, accusing Peter of orchestrating his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Peter, however, denied the allegations and accused Jude Okoye, their older brother, of diverting millions of dollars from their joint account into a secret company.
Responding to the accusations, Jude said he had done everything possible, even “sacrificing himself,” to mend the rift between his brothers.
In an Instagram post on Monday, Peter shared several photos showcasing their growth over the years.
He also celebrated their birthday while wishing himself as well as his twin brother more wins.
Celebrities
Tiwa Savage calls out Wizkid fan for bullying
Wizkid’s group of fans collectively known as “Wizkid FC” are popular for their vehement support for Wizkid and their antagonism toward those considered his rivals.
Tiwa Savage is the latest artist to call out Wizkid FC for harassment after some members of the fanbase mocked her for releasing a song on the same day as Wizkid.
On November 15, 2024, Ruger released his new song ‘Toma Toma’ featuring Tiwa Savage which she shared on her Instagram page with the caption “Told yall this one is special. The @rugerofficial called and I answered”.
In response, a Wizkid fan said “Dey play, nothing special pass Wizzy hits”.
The reply rubbed off wrongly on Tiwa Savage who said “Because I am promoting music? WTF…y’all are not fans anymore ooo you guys are actual bullies”.
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