Obi Cubana Breaks Silence on Jos Attack with Condolence Message
Nigerian socialite and businessman Obinna Iyiegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has publicly responded to the recent deadly attack in Jos, Plateau state. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in the Angwan Rukuba community within Jos North Local Government Area, has triggered widespread grief and anger across Nigeria.
Heartfelt Condolences Shared on Social Media
In a post via his Instagram story on Tuesday, March 31, Obi Cubana shared a flyer containing a condolence message directed at the families of the attack victims. Expressing profound sorrow, the businessman wrote, "God help us; may God comfort the bereaved; may it never happen again." This marked his first public statement regarding the violent incident that has shaken the nation.
The attack has prompted numerous Nigerian celebrities to voice their reactions, with musician Ice Prince among those expressing outrage. However, Obi Cubana's message has generated particularly mixed responses from the public, highlighting the complex intersection of celebrity influence and political discourse in contemporary Nigeria.
Netizens Criticize Timing and Political Affiliations
Social media reactions to Obi Cubana's condolence message have been sharply divided. Many netizens have criticized what they perceive as delayed timing, with some questioning the sincerity of his expression given his previous support for President Bola Tinubu's administration.
One user, chukwunwendum__, commented pointedly, "Coming from someone whose family are abroad." Another commenter, thejaything, added, "After supporting the government that refused to follow through with its basic responsibility which is secure the life and property of its citizens."
The criticism extended to suggestions of coordinated messaging, with nony4real noting, "E come be like say dem dey first send their house boy chiefpriest to see how people go react, after them go come out talk their own from different angle make e be like say everything dey ok."
Related Controversies Involving Other Celebrities
This incident follows similar controversies involving other public figures. Cubana Chiefpriest previously faced backlash after suggesting the attack might have been orchestrated to embarrass President Tinubu on his birthday. He expressed being deeply affected by disturbing videos of victims, including a woman and her child, stating, "I have been cold. In the past few days, the video of that woman and her child can’t get out of my head."
Additionally, singer Brymo sparked outrage with controversial comments about Tinubu in relation to the Jos attack, while Pastor Jerry Eze faced scrutiny for his spiritual response to the violence. Many Nigerians questioned whether prayers alone were sufficient to address the recurring security challenges.
Broader Implications for Celebrity Activism
The mixed reactions to Obi Cubana's message reflect growing public scrutiny of celebrities' political positions and the timing of their social interventions. Comments like mazymarana's "Stop calling on God, he's not our president... Call on your president to do his work" highlight expectations for more substantive engagement beyond symbolic gestures.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges, the responses to celebrity statements about tragic events like the Jos attack reveal deepening public frustration with both political leadership and influential figures perceived as aligning with unpopular policies. The episode underscores how condolences from public figures can become lightning rods for broader political discontent in an increasingly polarized social media landscape.
