Fans of Afrobeats star MohBad faced teargas as they gathered at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos to mourn the late musician after a memorial concert. The incident occurred as police claimed that the mourners were obstructing traffic on a major highway. MohBad, whose real name was Ilerioluwa Aloba, passed away unexpectedly and his death has sparked demands for transparency regarding the cause of his demise. In response to public pressure, the authorities in Lagos have ordered the exhumation of his body for investigation purposes.
The memorial concert, which took place at a park on Lagos’s Victoria Island, saw numerous mourners donning white T-shirts while holding candles and mobile phone torches. Prominent music stars like Davido, Falz, and Zlatan, as well as Nollywood celebrities, paid tribute to the late singer during the event. However, MohBad’s death has also stirred controversy, as the hashtag #justiceformohbad has been trending on social media. Some claim that the artist faced bullying within the music industry following his fallout with Marlian Records, a record label owned by musician Naira Marley.
The abrupt dispersal of MohBad fans with teargas as they marched towards the Lekki toll gate has reignited memories of the tragic incident in October 2020 when security forces fatally shot protesters at the same location. A subsequent inquiry revealed multiple deaths, injuries, and missing individuals. The incident occurred during the nationwide #EndSars movement, which sought to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars) police unit.
The Lagos police have been swift to reject any parallels between the recent teargassing and the #EndSars protests. They argue that the mourners ignored advice to avoid the Lekki-Epe Expressway, which resulted in traffic congestion and a standstill on the highway. While the police claim that no live ammunition was used and no lives were lost, the conflicting accounts suggest a need for further investigation. The autopsy report on MohBad is still pending and may take several weeks to be finalized.
The incident has sparked outrage among fans and supporters, leading to protests in various cities across southern Nigeria. The public demands answers regarding the circumstances of MohBad’s death, prompting the Lagos state governor to launch an inquiry involving the country’s secret police. The situation remains tense as the investigation unfolds and the mourning continues in the wake of the teargassing incident.
