Residents of Ikorodu in Lagos State and its environs on Thursday howled as police carted the exhumed remains of fast-rising music star, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad for autopsy.
The residents, who witnessed the exhumation, claimed to have seen traces of blood dripping from the coffin as his body was removed.
While some decried the hasty and shady burial given to the late music star, some said it was shocking to see blood littered the coffin.
Also read: As youths protest, Obi, Sanwo-Olu demand justice for Mohbab’s death
In a viral video, a convoy of cars escorted the corpse for autopsy as one of them said ‘‘We have never seen a situation of this nature before.”
The police on Monday set up a 19-member committee to carry out a discreet investigation which covers exhumation, autopsy, scene visit, medical report, records of suspects and witnesses’ statements
The committee has two weeks to conclude their investigations.
The Lagos State Police Command also confirmed the exhumation of the corpse of the late singer and the arrest of the nurse who allegedly injected the deceased prior to his demise on September 12.
The spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development on Thursday in a tweet he shared on X platform.
“Mohbad’s corpse has been exhumed today, and an autopsy will begin as soon as possible.
“I can’t answer questions on the arrests yet, because I don’t have that update. However, the nurse is in our custody; I can confirm that.”
Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, had earlier issued a directive to the State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohynwa, to initiate a “swift and comprehensive” investigation into the tragic passing of Mohbad.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, made the development known on Saturday.
Adejobi said “The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has issued a direct and urgent directive to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, instructing him to initiate a swift and comprehensive investigation into the tragic passing of Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, widely known as Mohbad.
“This directive was conveyed during a brief but crucial discussion at the Police Airwing Hangar, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday, September 16, 2023″.
“He tasked the CP to quickly and effectively unravel the truth behind the tragedy as there have been understandable concerns and speculations surrounding the circumstances of his untimely demise.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby earnestly urges any family members or close associates possessing valuable information pertaining to this case to come forward and cooperate with the Lagos State Police Command to ensure that justice is served and the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s demise are thoroughly examined.”
Sanwo-olu invites SSS
The Lagos governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had invited the State Security Service (SSS) to join the police in unraveling the cause of death of the music star.
The governor via his X handle on Tuesday said the move was to “boost the investigations” into the death of the artiste.
“I have invited the Department of State Services (SSS) to join the investigation and widen the dragnet with inter-agency collaboration and use of best in class technology to unearth the truth,” Mr Sanwo-Olu said.
“I have instructed that all those who may have played any role whatsoever in any event leading to the death of MohBad be made to face the law after a thorough investigation.”
Protests
The hashtag #justiceformohbad has been trending on X, formerly known as Twitter since the news of his demise came to the fore.
Hundreds of his fans have taken to the streets to seek the prosecution of those who could be involved in his untimely passage.
Many people had particularly fingered his former boss, Naira Marley, and his associate Sam Larry with whom he had a misunderstanding before leaving the Marlian Records label in 2022.
The 27-year-old is survived by a wife and a son.
