By Eunice Oluwafunmilayo

In the early hours of Wednesday, June 8, 2022, the media was awashed with news of a shootout in a Lagos club involving Nigerian music star, Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy.

The self-described African Giant has been popular in Nigeria’s online community, but not for the right reasons. According to rumors going around, a member of a Lagos Club called Cubana was shot at by the singer’s police escort.

According to reports, the singer twice made advances toward a man’s wife while they were both in the club. The man did not take kindly to this and confronted the singer.

Gunshots were fired during the altercation, hitting one of the club patrons.

The popster, Burna Boy’s police escorts were alleged to have shot and wounded two patrons of the club­ Lawrence and Tolu­ in the early hours of Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Expectedly, people are torn between the good and the bad side of it as details kept emerging. And fans predictably exchanged banter.

Biztellers interviewed people on their opinion about the shootout.

Speaking in Ibadan, a journalist, politician, and social commentator, Raji Samod said the incident still remains a mystery.

In his words, “it remains a mystery. I’m not believing the story yet though I didn’t dispute its occurrence. It might have happened but I haven’t gotten concrete evidence, More so, Cubana club management already issued a statement countering that.

“But if it had actually happened, Burna had really did the worst expected of him. I mean why could he have ordered a public shooting? What has made him different from the names he called the government during the EndSars protest?”

Samod added that Burna Boy may still be emotionally involved with his ex-girlfriend Steflon Don. This is not far-fetched especially as the two ladies are said to share a resemblance.

“Could it be due to his recent breakup with his girlfriend but how long will it take him to get over this? His last single was inspired by the departure of his musician girlfriend, Stefflon Don, It’s just wrong if it did happen because no sane person could have opened fire in such a crowded location”

“Though Burna has acted very stupid for not issuing a rejoinder since the allegations have been made. He’s established some reasons for the public to believe the story against him,” he added.

Also, an Ibadan-based writer Adebayo Adenrele people need to hamper power at their disposal.

“To start with, I think our Celebrities, especially, male one should learn how to control their influence when it comes to get things.

“They are also humans, they are not gods, they can’t have everything they want, not possible!

“Perhaps Burna Boy was embarrassed that night to get turned down three times by a woman despite his fame and all, despite his pester towards the Lady – I must say the Lady is a reserved partner to her man(going by what reports tells us).

“However, the non-availability of CCTV footage of that night by Obi Cubana made us understand that the Lady is closer to the truth, ‘if not saying the truth’.

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“We all have one skeleton to hide in our cupboards but, Obi Cubana responding six days after tells us that something is fishing.

“Nevertheless, as we all know that Nigerian security is already breached, don’t be surprised that this news will be overshadowed by another event, just to cover the deeds and with time, people will not remember it again, while the affected persons are still fighting for their lives.”

In addition, Aminat Okunlola-Bakare frowns at the incident.

“As a result of their altercation with the other men at Cubana, Burna Boy and his boys shot the other men. His police escorts also caused damage to other people’s cars in an effort to clear a way for Burna and his boys to flee. This is Nigeria, and it serves as a role model.

She said it is unbecoming for anyone to try to use his influence or power to subject others to whims and desires.

In the same lane, Temidayo Ogunleti who is a social commentator in Lagos state said “I think that was an example of how Nigerian celebrities abuse the opportunity they have to be famous, and a practical reminder of our insecure our country is. The event also connotes the prevalence of impurities and impunity in the land.

“But as for Burna Boy’s reaction to the incident, it was pathetic.

“Well that may happen indeed but I see any connections with the fact someone offers money in exchange for affection as a reason for shooting the same or his/her companion. The bad thing is bad and the spate of criminals in our country needs holistic overhauling where fear of legal implications of action will deter miscreants from committing fatal assault or harassment towards fellow humans just because they are seen as inferior,” he said.

Enoch, a corp member serving in Lagos said Burna Boy may have a lot to say than he is really saying.

He said “it is wrong although we are yet to get any information from the police and Burna boy himself on what really happened there.

“But if what we heard is really Tru, then Burna is our of line and he need to face the consequences of his action.

“But I don’t think he can attack someone without a prior attack from the other person.

A journalist in Abuja, Aishat Babatunde said “before Burna can disturb you Three times it’s possible you are an angel.

“Butt in which ever way you trying to consider this, bare in mind that Burna has power and money, it’s possible he committed the crime and he is trying to cover it.

“On the other hand, the woman can be cunning and she might be playing game to exploit Burna base on the fact that he has money and he is a celeb.”

Furthermore, a corps member serving in Abuja, Ololu Damilola Maryam said until all investigation is done and all the parties tell their side of the story, it is a hard nut to crack.

BURNA BOY AND FAME

Burna Boy made headlines around the world in 2021 when his album, Twice as Tall, won the Best World Music Album at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.

He has since claimed himself to be “African Giant”.

However, this was not the first nor the second time he would be involved with such.

For instance, the Grammy Award winner was implicated in a brawl that broke out in the Lagos nightclub Quilox in March 2021.

The argument that started the fight, according to renowned local rapper CDQ, was that Burna Boy ridiculed legendary Nigerian footballer Obafemi Martins.

Additionally, CDQ asserted that Burna Boy’s camp stabbed him and left him bleeding. All parties, nevertheless, have since reconciled.

It was called “Burna Boy versus CDQ and Obafemi Martins”.

Secondly, Ghanaians saw the “clash of the giants” in December 2020 when Burna Boy and Davido, two of the biggest musicians in Nigeria, squared off in a club there.

It was learned that the event took place in the west-African nation’s Twist nightclub, where the performers were supposed to have gone for a concert.

Additionally, Davido’s supporters tried to stop the singer of “African Giant” from entering the same nightclub as the singer of “Risky,” which is when the mayhem started.

Thirdly, Burna Boy and Mr. 2Kay started bickering in October 2017 after Mr. 2Kay responded to what Burna Boy had stated about Nigerian pastors. Burna Boy shouldn’t have disparaged pastors, Mr. 2kay said in an interview, because they are anointed men of God.

His comments did not sit well with Burna Boy who allegedly threatened him, saying, “You better have that energy when I come for you because I’m coming for you.”

At the Eko Hotel & Suites, where Mr. 2Kay played, 2baba and Tiwa Savage were the headliners of Buckwyld ‘n’ Breathless on October 22, 2017. He returned to his hotel room after his performance and was attacked and robbed there. The hotel management informed the police about the incident. Four individuals were detained by the police throughout the inquiry, including Joel, the road manager for Burna Boy.

The attackers admitted under questioning that Burna Boy had recruited them via his management.

The police made the announcement that Burna Boy was wanted for interrogation about the robbery and assault incident involving Mr. 2Kay on November 20, 2017.

Later, the singer accepted the police’s request. But it appears that the dispute has been resolved.

LAGOS CLUB SHOOTOUT

Burna Boy’s police escorts were alleged to have shot and wounded two patrons of the club­ Lawrence and Tolu­ on Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

Burna Boy was purportedly at Cubana, a well-known Lagos nightclub, in the middle of June when policemen working with the Grammy Award winner shot a married patron who had warned Burna Boy after the rapper made attempts toward his wife.

According to reports, Lawrence Irebami, a married woman who was at the VIP section of the club with some other women, was called by one of the police officers after Burna Boy instructed him to do so.

However, the lady’s husband, who was by her side, was said to have lambasted the singer, insisting that it was disrespectful for any man to make advances on his wife.

“As things were getting heated, Ibrahim brought out his service pistol and shot multiple times while Burna Boy was laughing,” said a senior policeman.

In the process, 27-year-old Lawrence was shot in the thigh while his friend, Tolu, was hit in the head by a bullet.

It was learned that Burna Boy and his crew then immediately left the scene.

Burna left the country later in the day.

THE WOMAN SPOKE

The woman whose husband was assaulted by Burna Boy’s security has shared evidence supporting her claim that she did not approach the singer first.

Briella’s partner and friend were shot by Burna Boy’s team during the altercation after the singer made passes at her.

She released a video evidence on the 20th of showing that she never approached the singer first.

An alleged witness claimed Briella went to the VVIP area where Burna Boy was sitting and her partner got angry and went there to get her back, that this allegedly led to an altercation and ended with gunshots.

But Briella has released a video from the club to show that she and her group never went close to Burna Boy’s side of the club.

She then urged the Cubana club to release CCTV footage of what transpired.

To Burna Boy, she said: “If you did nothing wrong Burna Boy, why were your people contacting us to offer us hush money? Why did your parents visit our parents yesterday?”

She has earlier narrated her story via her Instagram page, @nemebriella, she said, “We were visiting Nigeria from America and London for our childhood friend’s wedding. On the 8th of June 2022, @burnaboygram & his friends opened fire at us in @cubanalagos.

“My partner and his friend were shot, with both needing urgent medical care. A bullet grazed my partner’s head and our friend was shot in the thigh, leaving him hospitalised and needing emergency surgery in Nigeria.”

The lady added, “As the night progressed, one of Burna Boy’s friends walked to talk to me, his request was for Burna Boy to talk to me.

“On that first attempt, I told him I wasn’t interested in talking to Burna Boy and I am married to my partner. He came again the second time and was met with the same response.

“He came the third time and that caused a few of our friends to flare up as they asked why he kept coming to disturb me. There were words back and forth and one of Burna Boy’s friends attacked one of our friends, and as they attacked him, the situation degenerated into a fight.”

Briella noted that the club security intervened and things were slowly going back to normal when another fight broke out among Burna Boy’s friends.

She noted that the shooting started at that point and everyone scampered for safety.

“At this point, I couldn’t find my partner or my best friend. I was screaming for help after being lifted and thrown so hard on the floor by one of Burna’s friends and I hurt my left shoulder.

“All our private police officers were not allowed into the club, so it was left to us to fight for our lives. One of our friends @theflowolf was trying to get Burna Boy to calm the situation but he only laughed at him and proceeded to get in his car whilst being protected by his security.

“The shootings happened twice at different times. His friends were also shooting at people trying to evacuate the club through the main entrance.

“They were out to kill and didn’t care who got hit. My partner’s head was bleeding profusely and his friend lost so much blood he needed a donor As soon as he got to the hospital.

“@burnaboygram left @cubanalagos without a scratch and flew out to Spain the next morning.

“@obi_cubana only reached out to us four days after the event claiming he had no idea and would do everything to get us justice for attempted murder.

“11 days later, there has been no CCTV footage released by the club OR even a statement to address the incident publicly. Business has carried on as usual for him

“To sum things up, I’m traumatized. I’ve broken down every day since then. The random flashbacks and nightmares. Especially after seeing @burnaboygram’s response.

“The lack of remorse or accountability is beyond me. At least two people could’ve died that night.”

BURNA BOY REACTS

Burna Boy addressed the situation on Wednesday, June 15, stating that he was not surprised by the reports connecting him to the incident.

“The Nigerian social media can say Burna Boy started Boko haram, e no go shock me,” he tweeted.

CLUB CUBANA, REACTIONS, AND REOPENING

Obi Cubana, reacting to the incident, noted that the management has given all information to the legal authorities to “handle all”.

He also sympathised with “those who may have been impacted” by the incident

On his Instagram page, Obi Cubana wrote, “As regards the issues making rounds the social media, we at Cubana Group have given all information at our disposal to the legal authorities.

“However, we wholeheartedly sympathise with any/all those who may have been impacted by this. I and our group would never compromise standards, as we have confidence in the authorities to handle all. Best regards.”

Upon reopening on June 19, 2022, the club.
The famed Cubana nightclub, located on Victoria Island in Lagos, was reportedly almost deserted on Wednesday, June 15, 2022. On Friday, June 17, additional folks came for a different visit.

CONSEQUENCES

The Lagos State Police Commissioner’s Special Squad said it afterwards detained five policemen attached to Burna Boy for attempted murder after.

According to a police source, the incident’s escorts failed to inform the authorities of it. The source claims that the shooting incident was reported to the police by witnesses.

Secondly, on June 26, another piece of news broke up when the Burna Boy, a Grammy-winning artist, will not appear on Nigerian singer-songwriter Stanley Omah Didia, better known by his stage as Omah Lay upcoming,’s album, Boy Alone.

During a question-and-answer session on Instagram, the singer made this clear.

A fan threw a question at the fast-rising musician, wanting to know if Burna Boy was included in his soon-to-be-released album and Omah Lay simply replied, ” E dey, but I go remove am.”

However, Omah Lay who just rounded off his tour with Canadian superstar, Justin Bieber didn’t give further details on why he would remove Burna boy from his album.

Also, DJ Obi, a Nigerian disc jockey, claims that the married woman engaged in the purported club shooting at the Cubana Club in Victoria Island, Lagos, when Burna Boy’s escorts allegedly fired and injured two revelers, lied against the singer.