Renowned Bauchi traditional singer and comedian, John Zuya, popularly known as John Mai Molo, has died under suspicious circumstances in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Zuya, celebrated for his comic stage performances and culturally inspired songs, was said to have fallen ill shortly after eating a meal upon his return from Lagos, where he had recently performed at an event.
Eyewitnesses said the entertainer suddenly became restless and later collapsed.
He was rushed to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi, where he was confirmed dead on arrival.
His body has since been deposited in the hospital’s morgue for autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Confirming the development, a fellow artist and close associate, Emma Wakili, announced Zuya’s passing in a Facebook post on Sunday morning.
“It is confirmed that John Zuya passed on this morning at 7:00 a.m. His body has been placed in the mortuary as we move forward with the investigation,” Wakili wrote.
The news of Zuya’s death has thrown the Bauchi entertainment scene into mourning, with fans and colleagues expressing deep shock over the loss of the talented performer.
Until his death, Zuya was widely admired for his creative blend of music and comedy that celebrated Bauchi’s cultural heritage.