It was a sad Thursday for the fans of late Afrobeat star, Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad. Memories of the young talent clouded the minds of many, as they made preparations to join a candlelight procession held to honour him later in the day.
The location of this highly anticipated procession was set at Lekki.
“Ah Lekki again?”, many in fear had questioned, as flashes of events from the Lekki Toll Gate protest of October 20, 2020, ran through their minds.
Will it be another day to remember in yet another ember month? Not many knew what was waiting for them.
But the overwhelming crowd demanding justice for Mohbad on a daily basis is enough to push anyone out of his fears.
Justice For Mohbad
It was now or never. If other states and country could storm the streets to demand justice for Mohbad, Lagos, his own family and a city he thrilled with some nice songs, will not ‘hold back’.
“Na falling of hands”, that was what many said, as they expressed their determination to join the movement at all costs.
The procession kicked off from the Lekki Phase 1 gate and was due to end at the Muri Okunola Park.
There, a tribute concert was held in honour of the late singer.
The Procession
The crowd at the venue was enough to make one doubt the popular saying; “a prophet is not always honoured in his hometown”.
Lagosians, indeed, honoured Mohbad.
His fans and well-wishers dressed in white t-shirts, played and danced to the songs of the late artiste.
Also, many carried posters and banners bearing the photos of the deceased.
The climax of it all was the moment David Adeleke, aka Davido stormed the venue. Indeed, it was a sight to behold.
Procession Turned Protest
The procession came to an end in the evening and a concert kicked off.
Meanwhile, many who stayed till that time vibed in high energy to different tunes of the late singer and other artists.
As if possessed by Mohbad’s spirit which Davido said was “very strong and could not let him sleep at night”.
Fans decided to use the medium to call for justice for the singer.
Indeed, this is a course that has been on since the day he died.
Have You Read: Autopsy: Was Mohbad Buried Alive? Doctor Explains
What they did not know was how the police would react to such move.
As they began their protest march, the police fired tear-gas immediately causing the crowd to disperse.
Furthermore, in the series of videos that surfaced on social media, scores were seen taking to their heels after teargas was released into the air.
A ‘No Protest’ Order?
Some badly injured persons were carried away to the hospital after the incident.
Have You Read: Autopsy: Was Mohbad Buried Alive? Doctor Explains
It is yet another testament to claims that the police will be your friend to the tune of command they have received. If you try to go beyond the boundaries set, you will get the other side of the operatives to reckon with.
A school of thought say ever since the emergence of President Bola Tinubu as president, the security agencies in Nigeria appear to be guarding the word ‘protest’.
It appears there is an order that “protest must never happen,” they claim.
One of the things the crowd had done wrong is moving grounds after the procession ended.
Although, some persons wonder what the crowd had done to warrant the use of tear gas. If the protest was peaceful, the individuals deserved protection from the police.
Apparently, the police were guarding against a repeat of the 2020 event.
Moreso, the Lekki Toll Gate incident is still fresh in the minds of Lagos residents, a situation to which the current governor of Lagos apologised for.
Sadly, the decision of the security operatives to use tear gas on the protesters could trigger more protest.
Watch the video of how police dispersed protesters mourning Mohbad and demanding more investigation.
Nigerian security force teargas peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate during Mohbad’s protest. #Justice4mobhad #Mohbadimole pic.twitter.com/Y149YHro6v
— shybellmedia (@shybellmedia) September 22, 2023
