Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Lagos, Nigeria — Four individuals, including a well-known media personality widely referred to as Joes Media TV, were found dead inside a music studio in the Ajah district of Lagos State after spending the night following a three-day virtual praise and worship event, according to multiple accounts circulating on social media and community forums. The events surrounding their deaths remain unclear and have triggered urgent calls for an official investigation from family members and members of the public.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of February 4, 2026, at a studio in the Ajah area of Lagos, where the four had stayed overnight due to the distance from their homes following their participation in a celebratory virtual birthday praise event that began on February 2. The gathering was organised by a woman identified in local reports as Olanireti Akinbola, who had invited the group to perform and promote gospel music as part of the celebrations.
Among the deceased was the blogger known as Joes Media TV, recognised locally for his work promoting gospel artists and church music events. He was accompanied by three musicians whose identities have been mentioned in some social posts but have not yet been independently verified by official news outlets. Family members and online commentators have said the group chose to sleep at the studio after the event concluded, citing logistical challenges in travelling home late at night.
Their bodies were discovered in the studio the following morning. According to eyewitness accounts shared on social media, the four were found in their sleep, and there were no immediate visible signs of injury or violence. The absence of clear evidence of what caused their deaths has fuelled speculation and anxiety within the local community.
In the absence of any official statement from the Lagos State Police Command or health authorities, theories have proliferated across online platforms. Some local commentators have suggested food poisoning as a possible cause, pointing to meals consumed during the event, while others have raised the possibility that emissions from a generator left running overnight inside the enclosed studio space may have led to carbon monoxide poisoning. Nigeria’s reliance on generators for power and the well-documented risk of carbon monoxide inhalation in poorly ventilated spaces have lent some credence to this theory, although no forensic evaluation has yet been publicly disclosed.
The event organiser, Olanireti Akinbola, has reportedly not been reached for comment, and there has been no public response from the management of the studio where the bodies were found. Family members of the deceased have expressed frustration over the lack of official communication, urged authorities to expedite a thorough investigation, and called for justice and transparency in determining the cause of death.
The Nigerian public has reacted strongly to the case, with many on social media lamenting the loss of the young men and questioning the circumstances that led to their deaths. Others have called for stricter safety protocols for events and venues where individuals may need to stay overnight, especially in contexts where generators and other potential hazards are present. Several commentators pointed to previous fatal incidents involving studio spaces and generator fumes in Lagos, underscoring longstanding concerns about safety standards in informal or improvised event settings.
Emergency responders and forensic experts have not publicly disclosed whether autopsies or toxicology tests are being conducted, but families and activists have demanded that the bodies be examined by qualified medical professionals to ascertain the precise cause of death. Historically, such investigations in Nigeria can be prolonged due to procedural delays, limited resources, and bureaucratic challenges, compounding the grief and uncertainty experienced by grieving relatives.
The Lagos State Police Command has been approached for comment by journalists and concerned citizens, but at the time of writing there has been no official press release detailing the developments, nor confirmation of any arrests or criminal investigations. Police sources familiar with the case have reportedly acknowledged receipt of complaints from the bereaved families and indicated that preliminary inquiries are underway, but no substantive findings have been released to date.
The case has drawn attention to broader public safety issues in Lagos, Nigeria’s most populous city, including the need for improved oversight of entertainment spaces, stricter enforcement of electrical and fuel safety regulations, and clearer accountability mechanisms for event organisers. Lagos State authorities have in recent years faced criticism over the enforcement of building and fire safety codes, particularly in informal venues where large gatherings are common.
Journalists covering the story have noted that similar incidents — where individuals have been found dead in studios or other enclosed spaces — have occasionally occurred in Lagos, with preliminary speculation often pointing to generator emissions or other environmental hazards as contributing factors. However, without definitive medical evidence in the current case, it remains too early to draw conclusive links to any specific cause.
For now, the community in Ajah and beyond remains gripped by uncertainty, mourning the loss of four individuals who had travelled to share their talents and support a celebratory event. As demands for a formal investigation grow louder, attention will focus on the response of law enforcement and health authorities to determine the truth behind this tragic incident. 📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
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