Tragedy: 4 Gospel Musicians Die In Music Studio In Lagos
It is a tragic time for the Nigerian gospel industry, as four musicians have been reported dead. The deceased include gospel singer, Matthew Ogundele, and members of his crew, Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and a blogger, Matthew Awosanya, popularly known as JoesTV, were found dead inside a music studio in the Abraham Adesanya area of Ajah, Lagos State.
According to substantive reports, the deceased were invited as ministers on Tuesday, as part of the second day of a three-day birthday praise programme organised by fellow gospel artiste, Olanireti Akinbola.
The news was further circulated by popular gospel blog, OmojesuTv, who had on his Facebook page been making awareness about the issue.
"In pursuit of a better life, a blogger known as JoesMediaTv and three musicians were reportedly invited to perform at a virtual birthday praise event at a studio around Ajah. Due to the distance, they decided to sleep over. Sadly, they were said to have passed away in their sleep," he emphasized on his Facebook page severally.
Weighing into the ongoing issue, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, affirmed that a formal report was made on Wednesday by the studio owner, Akintayo Akinbola, who is also the husband of the celebrant.
She said that the husband of the celebrant claimed that he purchased food for the singers, on Tuesday night, and left them in his studio located within the HFP Shopping Complex. He shared how Wednesday morning was when he found out about the tragic incident.
“He stated that the artistes returned to the studio with the food while he went home. However, at about 11 a.m. on Wednesday, he returned and discovered that the studio door was locked from the inside.
“Alarmed, he raised the alarm and the door was forced open. Upon entry, the lifeless bodies of the four artistes were found inside the studio,” the PRO made public.
According to the Police Pro, detectives took to the scene, observed, and found no trace of violence on the bodies of the deceased. She also shared that the bodies were later taken to the hospital for medical confirmation and for further investigation.
“The corpses were taken to the Mainland Hospital, Yaba, where a medical doctor confirmed them dead. They were later deposited at the Mainland General Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.
She also added that the case is set to be probed further, as it is now on the desk of the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti, Yaba, in order to determine the exact cause of death.