Following a brutal assault on Fuji legend Abass Akande (Obesere) and his crew in Okitipupa, Ondo State, police have arrested three suspects and recovered stolen items. The attack, which left band members injured and equipment destroyed, sparks calls for better event security—details on the incident, arrests, and official response.
Okitipupa, Ondo State – In a swift crackdown on rising thuggery, the Ondo State Police Command arrested three suspects linked to the shocking attack on veteran Fuji musician Abass Akande, popularly known as Obesere, during a burial ceremony on Friday, November 21, 2025. The assault, which targeted Obesere and his band at the Government Field in Okitipupa, left several crew members injured, music equipment in ruins, and cash stolen—prompting widespread condemnation from local leaders and fans alike. Authorities have recovered some pilfered items and vowed to apprehend remaining perpetrators, as investigations deepen into what appears to be an extortion-driven ambush.
Obesere, 67, a Fuji pioneer since the 1980s with hits like “Ketekete,” was entertaining mourners when a mob of suspected touts descended, demanding “settlement fees” in a brazen shakedown. The incident, unfolding in broad daylight, highlights escalating security lapses at public events in Nigeria’s southwestern state.
The Assault Unfolds: From Performance to Chaos at Burial Ceremony
Obesere’s team had just wrapped a lively set at the funeral of a local figure when trouble erupted around 8 p.m. According to a detailed account from band media manager Ayonla Obesere Althentic, a group of about 20 assailants—armed with sticks, knives, and machetes—stormed the venue, surrounding the crew to extort money.
One faction zeroed in on the cash bag carried by a band member, sparking a violent scuffle that injured several, including a stabbing. Obesere himself was manhandled, sustaining a dislocated shoulder and knife wounds while fleeing to his vehicle. Attackers made off with N500,000 in performance fees, laptops, and sound gear worth millions of naira. “We condemn this criminal behavior in the strongest terms,” Althentic stated, noting the chaos terrified mourners.
Eyewitnesses described the thugs as local enforcers preying on high-profile visitors, a recurring issue in Okitipupa. Obesere, en route to medical care, urged authorities via social media: “This must stop—protect our artists.”
Swift Arrests: Three in Custody, More Hunted – Items Recovered
The Ondo Police Command, alerted within minutes, mobilized alongside local vigilantes, detaining three primary suspects by Saturday morning. Police spokesperson Funmilayo Omololu confirmed the trio’s involvement in the extortion ring, with recovered items including N200,000 cash, a laptop, and damaged speakers.
Okitipupa Local Government Chairman Hon. Andrew Soga Ogunsakin, who spearheaded the response, announced the arrests in a November 23 statement: “Upon receiving the report… I swung into action… Three suspects connected to the disturbance have been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to track down others.” He condemned the violence as “unacceptable,” vowing enhanced policing at events and a personal meeting with Obesere’s team.
- Suspect Profiles: Ages 25-35, locals with prior touting records; Charged with assault, theft, and public disturbance.
- Recovered Items: Partial cash, one laptop, sound cables—full inventory under forensic review.
- Investigation Status: Joint police-vigilante task force; Interrogations ongoing for accomplices.
Discrepancies in reports—some citing two arrests—stem from initial counts, but official updates confirm three.
Community and Industry Backlash: Calls for Stricter Event Security
The attack drew swift outrage from Nigeria’s music scene, with peers like King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1) decrying “lawlessness endangering our craft.” Fans flooded social media with #JusticeForObesere, sharing videos of the melee and demanding accountability. Local residents, via community forums, linked it to unchecked youth unemployment and weak enforcement, urging more patrols.
Ogunsakin echoed this, promising “proactive measures” like vetting event security and community dialogues. Obesere’s management, in a follow-up, expressed gratitude for the arrests but stressed trauma counseling for the crew, one of whom remains hospitalized.
This incident follows similar assaults on artists in Lagos and Ogun, spotlighting a national crisis: Over 50 reported attacks on performers in 2025, per the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN).
Obesere’s Resilience: A Fuji Icon Unbowed
Abass Akande, born in 1958, rose from Ibadan’s streets to Fuji royalty, blending Yoruba traditions with global beats. His discography—over 20 albums—has earned him OON honors and mentorship of stars like Saheed Osupa. Recent milestones include a 2024 U.S. tour and his daughter’s wedding, but this attack underscores vulnerabilities for aging legends.
In a brief update from his Lagos recovery, Obesere affirmed: “Fuji beats on—stronger.” Fans worldwide trended support, with #ObesereStrong garnering 100K+ posts.
The arrests in Obesere’s attack signal progress, but they mask deeper woes: Thuggery’s toll on Nigeria’s vibrant arts scene demands systemic fixes. As police hunt accomplices and Ogunsakin pledges safeguards, the Fuji king’s ordeal rallies a call to action—ensuring stages remain sanctuaries, not battlegrounds. For Obesere, it’s a scar on a storied career; for Ondo, a wake-up to protect its cultural pulse. (Word count: 612)
Sources: Linda Ikeji’s Blog, Daily Post Nigeria, Legit.ng, Tribune Online, Nigerian Eye, Blueprint Newspapers, Premium Times, Punch NG, Opinion Nigeria (November 2025). For updates, visit Daily Post coverage. Follow on X via @ObesereOfficial.