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Man Allegedly Brutalised By Soldiers In Benin Cries Out

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A man that was allegedly brutalised and shot on the leg by some soldiers in Benin, the Edo State capital, has raised alarm over what he called the inhuman treatment meted out to him.
But the Nigerian Army has insisted that the man, Mr. Daniel Owie, is an armed robber, who attempted to snatch the soldiers’ vehicle. The soldiers, who were reportedly led by an Army Captain, actually brutalised Owie before shooting him on the leg.

According to TheSun, in a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, the victim appealed to him to investigate the alleged murder attempt on his life and the breach of his fundamental human rights by
a group of soldiers led by a yet to be identified captain in Benin.

In the petition forwarded by his counsel, Mr. Benjamin Iluobe, Owie called on the IGP to direct the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, to thoroughly investigate the abuse of power by the Army Captain and his gang.

Mr. Owie is currently receiving treatment at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) where he was chained to the bed allegedly on the orders of the Army Captain. The captain also detailed two soldiers to watch over him.

Owie said on October 3, about 8.pm, he met a vehicle that blocked Ihama Road and he went to the car to see if he could assist the owners to push the vehicle off the road.

He said that the occupants of the vehicle ordered him to go back to his car, adding that the way and manner they talked to him led to an exchange of words. He was subsequently given the beating of his life by the soldiers, he stated.

“Our client told us further that he was surprised that one of them introduced himself as a captain in the Nigerian Army and he further identified himself by brandishing his service pistol.
After the beating, the said the captain called his military boys, who came in a Hilux Pick-up van and, without questions and after he identified him to them, started to beat him again with fists and gun butt.
He further said he was shot on his leg on the instruction of the said captain. He also said that there were bruises all over his body, inflicted by the military men called by the captain.
”Owie alleged in the petition that after shooting him, they took him to the hospital in their military base along the Airport Road, Benin, where medical doctors on duty told them that they would not admit him on the ground that the military men were not consistent in their statement as per how he was shot.

He said he was later taken to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where he was admitted.
He also alleged that his KIA SUV, two handsets, wristwatch and eyeglasses were taken away from him by the said captain and his boys.

“As if (as an) afterthought, at about 10am on Sunday, October 4, 2015, the said captain led other military officers to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital to handcuff him to the bed and detailed two military men to watch over him. They alleged that he was shot because he wanted to snatch their car from them,” the petition said.
But in a swift reaction, spokesman of the 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, Capt. Joseph Unuakhalu, said Owie was a member of a robbery gang, who robbed an army officer along Ihama Road on the fateful day and was arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Air Force.
The Army statement reads:

“At about 10:30pm on 3 October 2015, Troops of 4 Brigade Garrison responding to a distress call, rescued an army officer, who was attacked by suspected armed robbers at Ihama Junction, along Airport Road, Benin city. During the attack, the officers index finger was cut off by the suspected robbers.

Earlier, the gang robbed two policemen from Lagos Command, who came for their colleague’s wedding. Prior to the troops’ arrival, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force close to the scene responded and arrested one of the suspected robbers, Mr. Daniel Owie, while others ran away abandoning a Kia Sportage Jeep with Reg No EDO BEN 190 BR.

He was handed over to our troops on arrival. However, the suspect attempted to escape and was shot on his left leg. Suspect is currently receiving treatment at UBTH while investigations are ongoing.”

At the time of this report, Owie was still receiving treatment at the hospital. When contacted, medical director of the hospital, Prof. Michael Ibadin, said he was not aware of the development.

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Mohbad was suicidal… he surrounded himself with cultists, says Naira Marley

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Naira Marley, the Marlian Records head honcho, has claimed Mohbad, his ex-signee, battled with mental issues before his death.

Mohbad died on September 12. Marley is one of the persons of interest in the singer’s demise.

In a recent chat with Reno Omokri, Marley said he tried to seek help for Mohbad after learning about the late singer’s “mental health issues” from an associate.

He said he was ready to send him abroad for treatment and “pay for a lot of scans but his parents said they want to take him for treatment”.

“I was out of the country, I came back, and the people you surround yourself with are telling me all these things that he forgot his password. They said he forgets things quickly,” he said.

“So I was just trying to get help for him. That is why I was with his family; his dad and mum, if you can get the full video. You can see them complaining, telling me about the way he is moving and I am telling them too I heard he forgot lyrics. This is still the stage when I am trying to find help or see what was wrong with him.

“I did pay for a lot of scans for him to get scanned… And as I said, he was a little bit paranoid. So I was trying to take it easy by finding what was wrong. Remember he made a video to say ‘if anything happened to him, It is Naira Marley’. So I was just trying to find the best out of him.

“I spoke about maybe he can travel out to check properly. Then, I am thinking okay, I do not want him to start wandering up and down. I need someone to travel with him that he trusts.

“And then he said that it is his mom and dad that would understand what is wrong with him. And then his mom and dad said they want to take him for treatment.”

Marley also alleged that Mohbad tried to commit suicide before his demise.

The Marlian Records boss claimed Mohbad broke down several times and vowed to take his own life while he was alone.

Marley also alleged that the late singer “surrounded himself with a lot of bad people and cultists”.

“I believe that people around him know a lot of things. I do understand that he was surrounding himself with a lot of bad people; a lot of cultists,” he said.

On Tuesday, the record label boss said he would honour the police invitation to assist in the ongoing investigation of Mohbad’s death. He also insisted that “I have no hand in Mohbad’s death”.

Marley earlier said although they had “disagreements, no harm whatsoever was wished on Mohbad”.

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AFRIMA mourns Mohbad, call for institutions in African music industries

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All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, has emphasized the importance of regulating and institutionalizing the music entertainment industry as it joins millions of African youths and music fans to express grief over the demise of Nigeria’s singer, Mohbad, (real name Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba).

Mohbad died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, in an event that has generated massive public reaction.

The 27-year-old budding music star also known as Imole (Light) was a young and very promising artist whose creativity and amazing gift have made him produce highly thrilling lyrics that have warmed the hearts of millions of fans across the world.

The President and Executive Producer, AFRIMA, Mike Dada, in a statement, while lamenting that Africa has lost a promising talent in its growing music industry in a shocking manner, noted that institutionalization of the music/entertainment industry remains a top priority in curbing the unprofessional practices that have been existing within the industry in Africa.

He said; “On behalf of the International Committee of AFRIMA, we condole with Nigeria’s music industry, parents and fans of Mohbad, over his painful demise. The death of Mohbad is a tragic event that has left us all deeply saddened. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time.

With his demise, Africa has lost a promising talent in our growing music and entertainment industry. We pray God to grant him eternal rest and grant his parents, family, and teeming fans the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.

AFRIMA is spearheading efforts to mobilize stakeholders in the creative industry in Africa, with a focus on Nigeria, to establish institutionalized operations and regulate the music entertainment industry.

It is necessary to have a law that regulates the music industry to prevent it from becoming an unregulated free-for-all, as currently, the entry requirements are low such that anyone can just wake up and establish a music record label.

To address this issue, African countries must establish a Music Institute to certify practitioners regularly.

AFRIMA urges stakeholders, including relevant government officials and agencies, artists, record labels, A&R, producers, promoters, artiste’s managers, brands, songwriters, DJs & video vixens, video directors, equipment production and rental companies, publishing companies, streaming service companies, entertainment lawyers, royalty companies, choreographers/dancers, entertainment/music journalists and media, culture and music enthusiast, other supporting professionals: cameramen, editors, make-up, hairstylist, costumiers, among others, to participate in this crucial process. We urge stakeholders to submit their proposed legislation for review and consideration.”

AFRIMA’s concerns echo the call for justice for the late musician whose passing has created suspicion of foul play. The Nigerian Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death as the public keenly awaits the outcome.

Musicians and celebrities from Nigeria and internationally including Kodak Black, Lil Durk, and Meek Mill have all paid tributes to the late Street Hop sensation whose music has enjoyed a resurgence in the streaming platforms in Nigeria.

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‘I regret tattooing your face on my lap,’ Mandy Kiss berates Naira Marley

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Nigerian skit maker and brand influencer, Mandy Ayomiposi Oluwada, popularly known as Mandy Kiss, has said she regrets tattooing the face of rapper Naira Marley on her thighs.

This comes following the death of Mohbad, a former signee of Naira Marley with allegations linking the Marlian boss to the sudden death of the singer.

Reacting via her Instagram story, Mandy expressed regrets for idolising the Marlian Music boss.

She wrote, “I regretted the day I tattooed ur face on my laps, Naira Marley.

“You’re a big m*ss.

“Best day of my life is June 30 d day I erased ur face.”

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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