The popular Lagos Eyo festival has again been marred with violence as suspected hoodlums clashed with some of the Eyo masquerades on Saturday.
While the festival retained its colourful scenery with processions of all the groups of Eyo masquerade at the Tafawa Balewa Square on Saturday, the ugly exchanges of punches and wooden planks did not go unnoticed at the annual event.
Videos shared on X showed some clashes recorded on the streets in the Lagos Island.
One of the videos showed moment a spectator engaged an Eyo masquerade in fierce brawl, pulling off his red Akete and white garment.
Another video showed some hoodlums who ganged up against a group of masqueraders.
One of the Eyo masquerades would send hoodlums retreating after pulling out a locally made pistol at them.
There were various other cases of harassment and attacks while rival cult groups appeared to have made the day to carry out revenge.
The mob, however, regrouped and chased the masquerades, beating some of them with their wooden planks.
Meanwhile, the incidents all occurred despite the presence of President Bola Tinubu.
The President had graced the event with other top officials and security operatives.
He was received by the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was also at the event with other state government officials.
The Lagos State Police command and the state Neighbourhood Watch are yet to make any statement on the display of violence at the annual event.
NPO Reports
