Music Exec, Abu Abel denies issuing threats against suspected cultists

The Chief Executive Officer of Obimzy Records and Properties, Abel Egbarin, popularly known as Abu Abel, has debunked social media reports crediting him with threats against some alleged cultists in the country.

There had been a widely speculated message online insinuating that the music exec had ‘declared war’ against cult members.

Reacting to the development, Abu Abel told Punch how much he valued the sanctity of life, while also expressing his disdain for any form of violence.

He said, “Every human life is sacred, I do not support any form of violence, and I do not have the capacity to perform the function of security agencies whose primary responsibility is to maintain law and order in the country.

“I admonish these misguided elements who are working tirelessly to pitch me against some alleged cult members to desist from such irresponsible acts and find something worthwhile to do with their time for the betterment of society.

The business mogul further expressed his dismay over the length to which the proponent of the fake news went to attribute his name to such a life-threatening message.

Abu Abel said, “It is worrisome that those who are circulating this slander even added my name and claimed that I pledged to reward anybody that can kill one Dolapo, otherwise known as Dolly Pizzle. I however advise the public to disregard the viral rumour as such will never come from me.

“Furthermore, as a law-abiding and responsible citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby disassociate myself from any criminal activities that may arise from the post. Consequently, I have written a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi, notified security agencies, and instructed my legal team to immediately take necessary legal steps to apprehend whoever might be behind the post.

“More important than the need to even exonerate myself, is the need for people to know that I am a gentleman with good character, and I will never sponsor a murder or an attack on anyone. People should not

Cultists vandalise Benue school, Gov. Ortom reacts

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Monday described the vandalism of facilities at St. Catherine Primary School, Makurdi by cultists as needless and barbaric.

Ortom said this while speaking at an inspection tour of some facilities and projects in Makurdi.

The governor expressed worry that the school had become a haven for cultists, saying: “I am told that the vandalism on this school was done by cultists.”

He said the renovation of the school would be captured in the forthcoming phase of schools upgrading exercise. Ortom called on security agencies to strengthen security around school facilities in the state to avoid similar acts of vandalism.

He said: “I also urge the Universal Basic Education Board and the school management to fortify security within school premises.

“Employ security guards to watch over school premises and ensure that cultists and hoodlums do not come near.”

The governor further expressed concerns that the school had become a shadow of its former self because of the activities of cultists.

He said: “This is where I finished my primary education in 1976, I left here and proceeded to Idah for my post primary education.

“This school is very dear to me, this is the reason I came to see things personally.

“I am worried at the level of decay and vandalism.”

Ortom also decried the level of infrastructure decay at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital.

He said the state government had released N150 million for the repair of some leaking roofs in the hospital.…