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
Gospel singer Testimony Jaga gives Portable 3 days to apologise for slapping preacher
Testimony Jaga, the Nigerian gospel singer, has given Portable a three-day ultimatum to apologise to the preacher he slapped.
The ‘Zazoo Zeh’ hitmaker was heavily criticised on social media on Monday for slapping the man who he claimed was preaching close to his bar.
Jaga, while joining the chorus of condemnation against Portable, said he should have reported to the right authorities if the preacher’s actions were wrong.
In a video shared on his Instagram page, the gospel artiste claimed to have received divine instruction to advocate for the preacher.
He also warned Portable to issue a public apology within three days or face consequences.
“I’m giving you three days to apologise to that man,” he wrote.
“If that man Portable slapped is doing something wrong, can’t he call the law enforcement agencies to arrest him?
“Even if he does not like what the man was doing, he could have easily chased him away not slap him. That is somebody’s father, husband and uncle.
“If the pastor was a famous person who uses security guards, would he have slapped him? It is because the man has no one.
“I’m not against Portable, he might have done it out of pride but if he realises what he did, he should go and apologize to the man and make a video.
“That’s a mockery of someone’s God. Telling the man to go and call his God, is mockery. He has called his God and that’s why someone like me is talking now.
“God has told me to fight for the man. Who are we to judge anyone?”
Celebrities
Dammy Krane petitions police over rift with Davido, demands $500k payment
Dammy Krane has petitioned Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector general of police, over his lingering dispute with Davido.
The feud between the pair started in October 2023 after Krane called out Davido on social media, claiming he owed him for songwriting contributions.
Krane also accused the ‘Assurance’ hitmaker of sabotaging his record deal with Sony Music.
In response to the allegations, Davido labeled Krane “ungrateful” and claimed he received no payment for their collaborations. Davido also mentioned that he provided shelter and support for Krane when he was homeless.
Since then, Krane has continued to attack Davido on social media; even accusing him of being involved in the death of his friend Tagbo Umeike. Tagbo died from alleged alcohol poisoning in October 2017.
Davido dismissed claims and threatened to sue Krane for “defamation of character and cyberbullying”.
In a letter posted on his social media pages, Krane accused Davido of several wrongdoings while addressing five key concerns.
The singer alleged that Davido and his allies are threatening his life. He also called for the re-opening of Tagbo’s death case.
Krane pleaded with the inspector-general to help lift the restrictions on his bank accounts, which he claimed made it difficult for him to access his funds.
The singer also appealed to Egbetokun to get Davido to “pay me all the money he owed for the song ‘Pere’”.
He claimed Davido agreed to pay him $500,000 for their collaborative song but has refused to pay him.
Celebrities
Gospel singer Dele Gold is dead
Dele Agbeyo, the Nigerian gospel singer better known as Dele Gold, has passed away.
Agbeyo’s death was confirmed by Alayo Melody, his colleague, via social media on Wednesday.
Melody wrote, “Dele Gold died kee?? Ahhh This is getting too much ooo!!!! May God help us stop this untimely death. Dele Agbeyo May your soul rest well🙏🥲🥲”.
Wonder Doyin Kujore, another gospel singer, also expressed his grief on Instagram.
“Nothing in this world… let us live today and leave tomorrow for God. It saddens my heart to post about those who die prematurely, but I have to pay my last respects. Rest in peace Dele Agbotikuyo, Dele Gold,” he wrote.
Dele reportedly died after a brief illness.
Known as The Miliki Gospel King, the singer was a native of Usi, Ekiti state, but grew up in Faforiji, Osun state.
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