African China Reveals He Used Juju and Martial Arts to Evade Police, OPC Threats
Veteran Nigerian singer Chinagorom Onuoha, known as African China, said he turned to juju (voodoo) and martial arts to protect himself after his conscious music made him a target of police, the Oodua Peoples Council (OPC) and Area Boys. Speaking on the Beer Parlor Talk podcast, he revealed he is a black belt and relied on informants who warned him of impending raids, while audience members gave him signals during performances when security forces approached. He recalled that OPC officers would try to harass him even on stage, forcing him to stay constantly alert.
His account sheds light on the dangers faced by musicians who challenge authority through their lyrics, showing how state-aligned groups and informal enforcers can drive artists to extreme measures for personal safety. It also underscores the role of community vigilance—fans and informants acting as early-warning systems—in hostile environments.
What protections exist for artists who speak truth in Nigeria today, and how can fans, industry bodies, or authorities step in to prevent the need for self‑defence through voodoo or martial arts?