… says ‘my wife has abandoned me’
A musician, Kennedy Uti, popularly known as Yellow Banton, shot by armed robbers in 1997 is now afflicted with skin cancer.
The 45-year-old albino was attacked by armed robbers in his residence at Agungun Street, Ajegunle, Lagos State, 21 years ago. He was left with life-threatening bullet wounds from which 12 pellets were extracted.
The musician, who escaped death by the whiskers, said that the robbers came at about 1am, when some of his co-tenants were sleeping outside because there was no power supply.
Banton said he wanted to escape through the window immediately he heard somebody shouting, ‘Where is the money?’ But his elder brother stopped him from doing so.
The musician, whose popular music ‘Banton Banton’ is loved by children, especially, said he narrowly missed being killed by the robbers.
He said doctors later extracted 12 pellets from his back, especially around his waist region.
But Banton is today suffering from skin cancer that has affected his cheek and neck.
Banton, who hails from Ndokwa West Local Government Area of Delta State, said, “I’m suffering from skin cancer that affected the skin under my eye and neck. Fifteeen years ago, I started suffering from this cancer that has made my life miserable. For the treatment, I registered with Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, since 2016. I’ve been treating it all alone, but I had financial constraints. A woman called Mabel Oboh, who I regard today as my guardian angel, came to my rescue and spent millions of naira so that I can regain my good health. She was bringing drugs from Texas, United States, for me. I was operated upon and I thank God today I’m recuperating from the ailment.
“The woman, Mabel intervened in my pathetic situation in March 2018, during the wake keep for the mother of Friday Igwe, popularly known as Baba Fryo, at Babani Street, Ajegunle. It was Baba Fryo (Denge pose crooner), Budge and Remi that persuaded Mabel to look into my matter. We began to chat through Facebook. Later, she sent for me and we met at Mama Fryo’s residence. She took it upon herself to sponsor my treatment. I went to Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos. She had to import some drugs prescribed by the doctors. She has spent multi- million naira on the treatment of my ailment. I’m getting better by the day now. I’m healthy enough to start performing on
stage.”
The musician said he had not been able to perform for about eight months due to his illness.
“It has not been easy with me back home because my ailment caused me a broken home. Because I was not making money enough, my wife abandoned me to my fate. The landlord also ejected me from the house. I lived on the streets, squatting with friends and family members. But today I’m on again. I had to share the four children with my wife. While I’m with three children, she is with one. She’s with my daughter, who usually comes to see me,”
he said.
