BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — Celebrated Nigerian traditional singer John Zuya, popularly known as John Mai Molo, has died under suspicious circumstances after reportedly consuming a poisoned meal in Bauchi State.
Zuya had recently returned from Lagos, where he performed at a series of cultural events. Shortly after his arrival in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, he began experiencing acute discomfort and collapsed after eating a meal suspected to have been laced with poison.
He was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, where doctors pronounced him dead in the early hours of Saturday, October 18. His body has been deposited in the mortuary pending an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine whether foul play was involved. No arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named.
The sudden death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian music scene, especially within the traditional music community, where Zuya was known for blending indigenous rhythms with contemporary storytelling.
Security around public figures in the region has come under renewed scrutiny following the incident, as concerns over targeted poisonings and personal safety continue to rise.
The death has also reignited broader public anxiety about food safety and trust within social and professional circles, particularly among cultural figures.
Zuya was in his early 40s and leaves behind a wife and three children.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
