Nigeria Content Online

Popular comedian,
Francis Agoda (I go dye) has the intervention of veteran comedian, Ali
Baba to thank for saving his life on Tuesday as military men on guard
at the Warri township stadium venue of Uduaghan re-run campaign almost
beat life out of him and his compatriot, Ogus Baba. According to an
eyewitness, the incident occurred when the two comedians allegedly
attempted to force their way past the stern-looking soldiers into the
stadium. The source added that the security men, who did not care about
their identity, ordered them to retreat or be dealt with.

Before the two
entertainers could make up their minds to withdraw from the gate, the
soldiers descended on them. It took the timely intervention of Ali
Baba, (who threatened to stop the show) for ‘I go dye’ to be released
by his tormentors. By then, he was already reeling in agony, with blood
all over him from the slashes of the horsewhips. The other comedian,
Ogus Baba, who showed some bravery by attempting to save his fellow
comedian from the horsewhips of the angry soldiers, was not spared
either as he also got his share of the flogging. He was said to have
been so badly battered that he had to be rushed to an undisclosed
clinic for treatment.

Also touched by the
brutality of the soldiers was a personal aide of ‘I go dye’ whose name
could not be identified, and another popular comedian, ‘I Go Save’, who
got some bruises on his arms and legs.

Paid to perform

In a telephone
conversation, the Warri-born comedian, Mr Agoda said he came to the
stadium with his entourage with the intention of performing on the
stage as he had been paid by the organisers of the event.

“On getting into
the stadium, I was accosted by one of the soldiers and in an attempt to
answer him, the other soldier unexpectedly slapped me from behind. The
most annoying thing about the whole incident was that when I tried to
explain to their superior officer, a colonel, the former soldier shoved
me aside and immediately, other soldiers descended on me, beating the
living daylight out of me,” Mr Agoda said.

He was later
treated by the medical team at the stadium after being rescued from the
soldiers by Ali Baba, who condemned the act of the uniformed men.

Mr Agoda has demanded for a public apology from the military for
violating his “fundamental human right.” “This must be published in
national newspapers,” he said.