Gospel artiste, Yinka Ayefele escaped being lynched over the weekend at Ijare area of Ondo state by some touts who were angry at him for refusing to “settle them” after he got N3 million for playing in their town. On hearing that he had been smuggled out of the venue of the burial where he was playing, the touts descended on his workers, beating them mercilessly and destroying their equipment. 15 people were said to have sustained injuries.
Below is a press statement from Ayefele’s management following his attack…
Aftermath of attacks by hoodlums in Akure, Ondo State capital on Saturday, Gospel Tungba crooner, Yinka Ayefele has been hospitalised following impact of the injuries he sustained in the attack. The popular musician was this afternoon rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Ado Ekiti where he had gone to honour the invitation of the Ekiti State government to perform at the World Teachers Day organised by the state government.
A release signed by his Publicist, Mr. David Ajiboye disclosed that the versatile artiste was hit with a plank on his chest during the attack on him on Saturday in Akure. According to the release, “Yinka Ayefele, MON was attacked by hoodlums on the outskirt of Akure on Saturday 3rd October, 2015 during the burial party of Madam Ebunoluwa Lydia Odumakinde where he was contracted to perform with his band members.
“The hoodlums, after collecting N200, 000 from the artiste as “settlement” later demanded for a sum of N500,000 which did not go down well with Ayefele and in the process of the argument, he was hit on the chest by a plank which was thrown at him.”
The release added that Ayefele’s Ford Explorer 2015 model was vandalized and his recently acquired N150 million musical equipment was not spared. “The hoodlums vandalised the newly acquired musical equipment and the truck while his new Ford Explorer 2015 model SUV was also vandalised, as well. The band boys escaped unhurt contrary to reports in the media that they were beating.
