Nigerian Afrobeats Singer Destiny Boy Dies At 22, Fans Mourn Rising Star

The Nigerian music scene has been thrown into mourning following the death of Afrobeats singer Destiny Boy, who reportedly died at the age of 22. News of his passing triggered an outpouring of grief online, with fans and fellow artists sharing tributes and shock over the sudden loss. A widely circulated and unsettling video shows the late singer motionless inside a vehicle while being conveyed to a mortuary, with cotton wool placed in his nostrils. Unconfirmed reports claim Destiny Boy experienced severe health complications shortly before his death, including vomiting blood. As of now, no official cause of death has been announced. Popular for blending Fuji elements with Afrobeats, Destiny Boy carved out a distinct sound that earned him a growing fan base across Nigeria. Despite his young age, he had already reached several personal milestones, including proposing to his partner with an expensive diamond ring and becoming a father at 20. Those close to the singer say he had been dealing with an illness for some time and that attempts were made to manage his condition. His passing, they noted, came despite those efforts. Social media has since been flooded with condolence messages, as many struggle to come to terms with the loss of a rising talent gone too soon.

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Newswatch Co-Founder Yakubu Mohammed Dies At 75

Yakubu Mohammed, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and former deputy chief executive officer of the publication, has died at the age of 75. Sources said he had been ill for some time before his death, although the nature of the illness was not disclosed. As of the time of filing this report, the family had yet to issue an official statement. His death comes just weeks after the passing of his close associate and fellow Newswatch co-founder, Dan Agbese, who died on November 17, 2025, after a prolonged illness. In October 2025, Mohammed published his memoir, Beyond Expectations, offering a detailed account of the rise of Newswatch and personal reflections on its early days. The book revisited key moments in the magazine’s history, including the period following the 1986 assassination of founding editor-in-chief Dele Giwa and the internal battles that followed. Mohammed co-founded Newswatch in 1984 alongside Agbese, Ray Ekpu and Dele Giwa, playing a key role in building the magazine into a leading voice in investigative journalism during Nigeria’s military rule. His passing represents another major loss from the magazine’s founding generation. Born on April 4, 1950, Mohammed hailed from Ologba in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. He attended St Joseph’s Primary School, Ayangba; Government Secondary School, Okene; the University of Lagos; and the Glasgow College of Technology in Scotland. He began his journalism career at New Nigerian Newspapers, where he served as associate editor and later managing editor. He later moved to National Concord, rising from deputy editor to editor before co-founding Newswatch. At Newswatch, Mohammed held several senior positions, including executive editor, managing editor and deputy chief executive officer of Newswatch Communications Limited. Beyond journalism, he served as a director at Yadara Nigeria Limited and Lastop Limited, and was a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Commonwealth Journalists’ Association and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He also served as pro-chancellor and chancellor of the governing council of Ahmadu Bello University.

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Kano State Suspends Three Hospital Staff After Surgical Scissors Left In Patient, Causing Death

The Kano State Hospitals Management Board has suspended three medical workers at the Abubakar Imam Urology Centre following the death of Aishatu Umar, a mother of five, after surgical scissors were mistakenly left inside her body. Umar died on January 11, 2026. Umar had undergone a medical procedure at the hospital in September 2025. She later experienced severe discomfort, and subsequent scans revealed the surgical scissors inside her stomach. The case came to public attention after her brother shared the story online, prompting widespread outrage and demands for justice. The Hospital Management Board, through its Public Relations Officer Samira Suleiman, confirmed that a preliminary investigation ordered by Executive Secretary Dr. Mansur Mudi Nagoda verified the surgical negligence. The three personnel directly involved have been immediately suspended from clinical duties, and the matter has been referred to the Kano State Medical Ethics Committee for further investigation and appropriate disciplinary action under professional and legal guidelines. “The Board extends its deepest condolences to the family of the late Aishatu Umar and sympathizes with them over this painful loss. We reassure the public that negligence will not be condoned in any form,” the statement added.

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JUST IN: Gospel Singer Bunmi Omije Ojumi Is Dead

Gospel singer Bunmi Akinnaanu, popularly known as Bunmi Omije Ojumi, has died. Her family confirmed her passing on Tuesday, January 12, 2026, revealing that she died at a hospital in Lagos after battling a long-term illness. Announcing the sad news, a family member wrote, “With great sadness 💔😭 we announce the passing of Evangelist Olubunmi Akinnaanu Adeoye OMIJE OJUMI, passed away on 12th January, 2026 at a Lagos hospital, Nigeria. May God grant her eternal rest🙏. Signed: Olawale Akinnaanu, for the family.” Bunmi rose to prominence in the gospel music scene with soul-lifting songs such as Omije Oju Mi and O Ti Sure, earning respect and admiration within Christian music circles. In the months leading up to her death, her health had drawn public attention as videos surfaced online showing her with a swollen leg while seeking divine healing. During that period, fellow gospel artistes and fans rallied around her, offering prayers, encouragement, and support toward her treatment.

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Six Dead, Two Injured In Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Crash Near NASFAT Junction

Six people have been confirmed dead and two others injured in a road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway near the NASFAT junction in Ogun State. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun Sector Command, said the crash occurred around 2:36 pm on Thursday, involving a Mazda commercial bus and a Volvo truck. Overspeeding was cited as the cause of the accident. According to FRSC spokesperson SRC Odunsi Afolabi, six victims died at the scene, while two others sustained injuries. Some of the injured were taken to an unknown hospital by passersby before emergency teams arrived, and others were treated at Famobis Hospital, Lotto. The bodies of those killed were deposited at a morgue. FRSC Corps Commander in Ogun State, Akinwumi O. Fasakin, directed a full investigation into the crash. The rescue operation involved FRSC personnel from the Mowe Unit and Ibafo Outpost, ambulance teams from the Ojota Unit Command, police officers, and TRACE officials. Officials were also seen clearing the wreckage from the scene following the fatal collision.

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Lion King Star, Imani Dia Smith Killed In New Jersey Stabbing, Boyfriend Charged

Imani Dia Smith, a Broadway actress best known for portraying Young Nala in the stage adaptation of The Lion King, has been fatally stabbed at her residence in New Jersey. She was 25 years old. The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said officers responded to a 911 call reporting a stabbing at a home on Grove Avenue at about 9:18 a.m. on December 21. “Upon their arrival to a residence on Grove Avenue, they discovered Imani Smith, 26, of Edison with stab wounds,” the statement said. “Smith was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, where she was ultimately pronounced deceased.” Authorities confirmed that Smith’s 35-year-old boyfriend, Jordan D. Jackson-Small, has been arrested in connection with her death. Prosecutors noted that the incident was not random, as both individuals were known to each other. “Moreover, Smith and Jackson-Small knew each other before the incident; thus, it was not a random act of violence,” the prosecutor’s office stated. Following preliminary investigations, Jackson-Small was taken into custody without incident. He has been charged with first-degree murder, second-degree endangering the welfare of a child, third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. “Jackson-Small is being held at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Centre pending the results of his pre-trial detention hearing,” the statement added. In the wake of Smith’s death, her family launched a GoFundMe campaign, which had raised over $50,000 as of December 25. Her aunt, Kira Helper, wrote on the fundraiser page, “She leaves behind a 3-year-old son, her parents, her two younger siblings, and an extended family, friends, and community who loved her so very much.”

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Asake Expresses Heartbreak, Pledges Accountability After Fan Dies at Nairobi Concert

Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Asake has issued a heartfelt statement following the tragic death of a fan at his December 20 concert in Nairobi. The incident, which occurred during a crowd crush at the venue, claimed the life of Karen Lojore and left many in mourning. Taking to Instagram, Asake wrote: “I am devastated by the tragic incident that took place at the festival on Dec 20th in Nairobi. My heart goes out to the family, friends, and loved ones of Karen Lojore, and I pledge to support and do my best to understand what happened. Those responsible should be held accountable. Music has always been my way of sharing love and joy, and it breaks my heart that anyone had to experience such loss. My thoughts are with everyone grieving, and I pray that Karen rests in peace. God Bless Kenya.” The singer’s statement reflects his shock and sorrow, as well as his commitment to ensure accountability for those involved. Event organizers have also expressed condolences and vowed to cooperate with authorities to investigate the tragedy and improve safety measures for future events. The heartbreaking incident has sparked widespread discussion about concert safety and the need for stricter crowd management.

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American Actor James Ransone Of The Wire Dies By Suicide At 46

James Ransone, the American actor best known for his portrayal of Ziggy Sobotka on HBO’s iconic series The Wire, has died at the age of 46 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that his death was ruled a suicide. Ransone rose to fame with his role in the second season of The Wire in 2003, a series widely regarded as one of television’s most influential dramas. He later appeared in other notable TV shows including Generation Kill, Trembles, and Bosch, and starred in films such as Sinister, The Chapter Two, and The Black Phone. In recent years, Ransone had spoken openly about his struggles with addiction and sexual abuse trauma, becoming a strong advocate for mental health awareness. He is survived by his wife, Jamie McPhee, and their two children. Following his death, McPhee launched a fundraising initiative in support of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Fans and fellow actors have expressed shock and sadness at the news, honoring Ransone as a talented performer and a candid voice on personal struggles.

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