Scenes of violence and confusion spoiled the annual Eyo Festival on Lagos Island on Saturday, December 27, 2025, as unidentified people disguised in traditional Eyo regalia were captured on video brandishing a gun and engaging in disorderly conduct during the cultural procession.
The Eyo Festival, is a centuries-old Yoruba cultural event that attracts locals, tourists, and dignitaries alike. This year’s edition marked the first since 2017 and was highlighted by attendance from national figures such as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, whose presence earlier in the day underscored the festivity’s significance.
Thus, video clips circulating widely on social media showed men dressed in the iconic white flowing robes and tall red hats traditionally associated with Eyo masquerades engaging in aggressive behavior. In one troubling sequence, a person believed to be impersonating an Eyo masquerade was seen wielding what appeared to be a firearm in the midst of the procession, prompting panic and flight among bystanders.
The footage also captured scenes of physical violence against a male victim, who was repeatedly struck with staves by several figures in masquerade attire. In other clips, residents were seen hurling chairs and other objects back at groups of masked figures near residential gates as tensions escalated.
The chaotic visuals triggered swift backlash online, with many Nigerians expressing shock that a cultural celebration rooted in heritage, unity, and respect could devolve into violence. Commentators stressed that such conduct “tarnishes the longstanding cultural significance of the Eyo Festival and endangers public safety,” while others attributed the misconduct to opportunistic troublemakers rather than genuine cultural participants.
Some of the violent interactions mirrored reports from other outlets showing clashes between masquerades and festival attendees, including incidents of physical assault on residents and retaliatory actions by bystanders. Critics on social media highlighted the departure from traditional behaviour, with one X (formerly Twitter) user lamenting, “I no understand this generation of Eyo at all. The Eyo wey I sabi from before no dey mob person like this.”
Despite the scale of the unrest captured on video, as of the time of initial reporting there had been no official statement from the Lagos State Government or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the authenticity of the gun footage or detailing any arrests related to the incidents. Security sources suggested investigations may be underway to determine whether the individuals involved were genuine cultural participants or “opportunistic trouble-makers exploiting the festival for criminal activity.”
Authorities had earlier issued advisories urging respect for traditional protocols and emphasising that no procession should continue beyond evening hours, part of broader civic planning that included traffic diversions and public safety measures aimed at ensuring a peaceful celebration.
The troubling events have also reignited broader conversations about the conduct of masquerade processions in modern Nigeria. While such cultural pageantry remains a source of identity and pride, with deep roots in Lagos history, recent incidents have sparked debate on the line between tradition and disorder, particularly when individuals masquerading as cultural figures engage in violent or unlawful conduct.
