Police have arrested a friend and associate in connection with the d3ath of a traditional singer, John Zuya, popularly known as John Mai Molo in operatives in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The popular Sayawa artist, whose songs had earned him fans across the country, particularly among his tribesmen, d!ed on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
Zuya had recently traveled to Lagos, where he performed to a large crowd and reportedly earned a significant sum of money.
However, shortly after returning from the trip, he d!ed under mysterious circumstances, sparking shock across his community.
He was initially reported to have d!ed from food poisoning.
According to security analyst, Zagazola Makam, a few days later, Yakubu Alhamdu, Deputy Chairman of Zayoda, Tafawa Balewa branch, claimed in a video shared on his Facebook platform that Zuya was allegedly killed by his friend, Emmanuel Wakili, also a Sayawa artist.
In the video, Alhamdu stated that Wakili confessed to k!lling Zuya out of jealousy, explaining that he captured Zuya’s soul (“Kurwa”) in a small bag and struck his head until he d!ed.
Alhamdu noted that this accounted for the blood seen on Zuya’s forehead after his d3ath.
The incident has thrown the community into mourning, with many residents seeking justice.
Following the report, police traced and arrested Wakili, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the full circumstances surrounding Zuya’s d3ath.
It will be recalled that the suspect, Wakil, took to Facebook to congratulate Zuya on his successful trip to Lagos.
He also confirmed Zuya’s d3ath a day later.
