CITIZENS COMPASS— The much celebrated Eto Festival on Lagos Island, Lagos State reportedly turned violent yesterday, after a gun-wielding individual infiltrated the outing.
The pockets of violence were captured in some trending videos as monitored by Citizens Compass.
The revered annual Festival attracts people from far and wide.
It usually kicks off at Iga-Iduganran with processions moving to the Tafa Balewa Square (TBS) for speeches and cultural display.
This year was not an exception as Eyo dresses in a white regalia with a Red cap to display the cultural heritage of Lagos.
One of the 2025 participants, Chief Toba Okanlawon who spoke with Citizens Compass in a telephone conversation said he was an early time caller at the event.
According to him, he travelled all the way from Ijebu-Ode to attend the event.
“I usually travel a day before the event to enjoy every bit of it. Being a traditionalist, so many things captured my attention during this year’s festival.”
He advised organisers of the Festival to be more serious about security at the Festival.
“The procession was colourful as it initially took my mind off the security challenges facing the nation until I saw someone dressed in Eyo attire displaying an object suspected to be a gun.
“This beats my imagination and the rapt attention I gave the Festival disappeared.
“Fear still grips my mind as I speak.” He said.
Some disturbing videos of the Festival captured some individuals dressed in Eyo regalia running after innocent participants beating them up.
In one of such videos, a man decked in a white attire was being pursued as he received the beating of his life.
Citizens Compass sought Okanlawon’s view about this and he said that the Festival has laid down rules and anyone found wanting could be cautioned or beaten up by the Eyos.
“They usually beat those who fail to obey their rules: Do not wear shoes or slippons in their presence and do not snap their pictures or shoot videos.” He added.
At press time, the Lagos State Police Command was yet to react to the trending videos from the 2025 Eyo Festival.
On his Facebook page, Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, said of the Festival: Today, we had the honour of hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2025 Adamu Orisha Play Eyo Festival in Lagos. It was a proud moment for me as governor and as a Lagosian to witness the return of this historic celebration after eight years.
The Eyo Festival is one of the clearest expressions of who we are as Lagosians. Seeing the Eyos glide through our streets in white is a reminder of the deep roots and shared values that hold this city together.
This year’s festival was particularly meaningful as it honoured four outstanding figures who helped shape Lagos and Nigeria, including Mama Abibatu Mogaji, whose life reflected the strength and leadership of Lagos women, as well as Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Chief Michael Otedola.
I am grateful to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, our traditional institutions, and the families of the honourees for preserving this heritage. Lagos continues to honour its past while building its future, and the Eyo Festival remains a powerful reminder of that balance.
