This archive report was first published on 12 November 2019.
On a fateful December 31 night, Nigerian singer and politician Bankole Wellington, known as Banky W, was robbed by four armed men on Lagos Island, Nigeria.
Banky W, who was on his way to the island after dropping a friend, was ambushed by the robbers who slapped him on the face before stealing his valuables, including his money, jewelry, phone, and cap.
"I recall that after a certain December 31 night 'crossover' service, I was on my way to the island after dropping a friend. On getting to where my friends were, I stopped and alighted. The next thing I felt was a slap at my face," he told Tim Godfrey.
Banky W, who opted to give the robbers the key to his rickety car, was ordered to move to the back seat while they used his car to rob others.
"They slapped me again, saying, 'Who wants your car'? They told me to move to the back seat of the car while they used my car to rob others," he added.
One of the robbers suggested that they kill Banky W, but he begged them not to, telling them he was a singer.
"At one point, one of the armed robbers told the others, 'Let us take him to Ajah and kill him.' I started begging them not to kill me. I told them I am a singer. They then asked me to tell them the songs I had recorded," Banky W recounted.
When he mentioned some of his popular songs, including 'Ebute Metta' and 'Capable', the robbers expressed surprise and asked him to sing for them.
"So you are Mr Capable? Sing for us," they said. Banky W had to sing to armed robbers, an experience he described as the scariest free show of his life.
