Twelve years after his untimely death, Nigeria’s Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun, popularly known as Dagrin, is generating fresh confusion.
His photo, or what looks like his exact look-alike, has been published in Sierra Leone, as a wanted man in connection with a civil unrest in Freetown last week.
Police authorities in the West African country declared some youths wanted for taking part in violent protests that the authorities considered as insurrection.
The viral picture of Dagrin, which had been in circulation while he was still alive, appeared in the list of wanted persons which was released by the Sierra Leonean police for partaking in the protest, thereby causing confusion on whether Dagrin’s photo was published in error or it was that of a look-alike.
The publication appeared to be the result of some shoddy work by the police as a twitter user who shared a photo of those on the list wrote: “The Sierra Leone Police release pictures of wanted people who were part of the violent protest last week and late Nigerian rapper Dagrin is one of them.”
Recall that the Nigerian music industry was thrown into mourning when the young, talented rapper, died in a ghastly car accident on April 22, 2010.
His vehicle collided with a stationary trailer (heavy-duty vehicle) in front of Alakara Police Station, off Agege Motor Road, Mushin, Lagos.
He died of injuries sustained from the accident at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital (LUTH) and was buried at the Ebony Millennium Private Vault, Atan Cemetery.
The Ogun State-born rapper won the hearts of many Nigerians with his unique style of music which arguably paved the way for a new crop of artistes in the Nigerian music industry.
The Sierra Leonian authorities are yet to make clarifications on the supposed mix-up; nor have they paraded any suspects.