In an attempt to disrupt a music concert dubbed “Freedom Concert,” a detachment of armed police officers has arrived at the S BASE Garden in Lokogoma, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The police officers arrived in a Hilux van and were invited by the garden’s owner, who was disturbed by banners with inscriptions such as “#NorthIsBleeding #BuhariIsSleeping” displayed near the stage.
The police officers reportedly asked the organizers to remove the banner in the interest of peace when they arrived.
The police also stated that they were not at the venue to disrupt the concert, but rather to ensure that the organizers respected the garden owner’s wishes.
The situation resulted in a fight between the police and the organizers, who claimed that the youths had paid for the venue and that the owner had no right to tell them what they could and couldn’t display.
They claimed that the message on the banner reflected the reality of what was happening in the Northern region and that President Muhammadu Buhari needed to rise to the occasion and address the country’s security challenges.
They claimed that the message was clear and that they would not apologize for using it as a backdrop.
Following that, the garden’s management turned off the power to the venue in an attempt to disrupt the concert.
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist who arrived during the brawl, later intervened and engaged the garden owner and police officers.
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Following that, the parties reached an agreement and the situation was resolved.
The light had been restored and the artists were back on stage as of the time of filing this report.
The concert, which aimed to use music as a weapon against oppression and tyranny, brought together artists and activists such as saxophonist Samuel Gabriel, guitarist Seth Ogahi, and a number of cultural troops from across the city.
Seth Ogahi, Proficient, J.Fox, Sam, Solex, Slow- Cee, Tu Millar, Omo Awe, and the T-Nice TV Entertainment Group were among the performers at the event.
