On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, youths in the Panseke area of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, stormed the streets to demand justice for the death of popular musician, Ilerioluwa Aloba, also known as Mohbad. Mohbad died at the age of 27 on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.
The youths gathered in their numbers at the skating ground arena in Abeokuta wearing blacks and carrying placards with inscriptions such as #JusticeForMohbad, #WhoOffLight, and #MohbadLivesOn.
Mohbad was a former signee of Marlian Records owned by Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley. Naira Marley, while mourning the death of Mohbad described him as “more than an artiste or signee but brother and dear friend” to him.
The death of Mohbad has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian music industry and beyond. Many fans and colleagues have taken to social media to express their grief and demand justice for the young singer.
The Lagos State Police Command has inaugurated a 13-man special investigation team to probe the mysterious death of Mohbad. The team is led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Lagos, DCP Adegoke Fayoade.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, while inaugurating the team on Monday, said that the command would do everything possible to unravel the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and bring the perpetrators to justice.
“Do not forget, we have unique access with INTERPOL. Everybody linked to it (the death of Mohbad) will be identified and they will be brought to establish their level of involvement,” Owohunwa said.
The protest by the youths in Abeokuta is a reflection of the anger and frustration that many Nigerians are feeling over the death of Mohbad. They are demanding justice for the young singer and an end to the violence and insecurity that has plagued the country in recent years.
Impact of Mohbad’s Death on the Nigerian Music Industry
The death of Mohbad is a major blow to the Nigerian music industry. He was a talented and rising star who had the potential to become one of the biggest names in the industry.
His death has also raised concerns about the safety of Nigerian musicians. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of violence and insecurity involving Nigerian musicians.
The death of Mohbad is a reminder that the Nigerian music industry is not immune to the challenges that face the country as a whole. The industry needs to come together to address the issues of violence and insecurity, and to ensure that musicians are able to work and perform in a safe environment.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Similar Deaths?
The death of Mohbad is a tragedy that should never have happened. There are a number of things that can be done to prevent similar deaths from happening in the future.
First, the Nigerian government needs to do more to address the problem of violence and insecurity. This includes investing in law enforcement and social programs, and working to create a more just and equitable society.
Second, the Nigerian music industry needs to come together to develop safety protocols and guidelines for musicians. These protocols should include things like security training for musicians and their staff, as well as plans for how to deal with emergencies.
Finally, Nigerian musicians need to be more aware of the risks they face and take steps to protect themselves. This includes being careful about where they go and who they associate with, as well as being vigilant about potential threats.
The death of Mohbad is a sad reminder of the challenges that face the Nigerian music industry. However, it is also an opportunity for the industry to come together and make changes to ensure that musicians are able to work and perform in a safe environment.
