By Habeeb Ibrahim
Nigerian celebrity disc jockey, Nonso Temisan Ajufo, popularly known as DJ Big N, has recounted a harrowing encounter with armed robbers in Johannesburg, South Africa, which left him with a gunshot wound and a renewed outlook on life.
The incident occurred on Sunday, January 12, during what began as a routine night out. DJ Big N, who is signed to Mavin Records and renowned for supporting top acts like Tiwa Savage and releasing popular mixtapes, shared that his plans took an unexpected turn after he left a lounge with an acquaintance to visit another club.
While en route, their vehicle was ambushed at a traffic light by two cars carrying six armed men with automatic rifles. Amid the chaos, DJ Big N attempted to flee but was shot in the leg. One of the robbers placed a rifle to his head and demanded his valuables, including his watch, chain, and other jewelry, valued at over $114,000.
“I struggled to remove my watch while bleeding heavily,” he recounted. Despite the traumatic ordeal, he managed to get back into the car, and his driver rushed him to the nearest hospital.
Doctors described his survival as miraculous, as the bullet narrowly missed a major artery and bone. “They called me ‘lucky, but I credit my survival to divine intervention and my mother’s prayers,” he said.
The traumatic event prompted a shift in DJ Big N’s perspective on life. “Material possessions mean nothing. Life is fragile, and validation is meaningless. God gave me another chance, and I’m committed to living authentically and appreciating life without unnecessary stress.”
Despite the ordeal, DJ Big N emphasized his admiration for South Africa and its people, refusing to let the actions of a few individuals define the country. “I met so many wonderful people and visited so many beautiful places in South Africa. Like any other country, there are bad eggs that paint the nation bad.”
In a positive update, DJ Big N revealed he recovered quickly, discarding crutches just two days after the incident. The entertainer expressed gratitude for life and a renewed focus on what truly matter.
“South Africa…. I visit, I don’t judge”, he concluded.
