UYO, Nigeria (FN) — Chaos erupted at the Uyo Township Stadium on Saturday night as hundreds of fans forced their way into the venue without tickets during a concert headlined by Nigerian music star Davido.
Eyewitnesses described a scene of confusion and excitement as crowds surged past security barriers, overwhelming event staff and entering the stadium through unsecured gates and fences. The incident occurred shortly before Davido took the stage, prompting a temporary delay in the performance.
“We just followed the crowd,” said one attendee who entered without a ticket. “People were jumping fences and running through side entrances. Security couldn’t stop them.
Videos circulating on social media show fans sprinting across the stadium grounds, some climbing over barricades while others pushed through entry points. Despite the breach, the concert eventually resumed, with Davido performing to a packed audience.
Davido responded with gratitude and amazement. “Uyo, you guys are unbelievable! Over 30,000 strong — the love was real,” he posted on social media. “I’m humbled and grateful. This is why I do what I do.”
His wife, Chioma Rowland, also shared her reaction online, posting a clip from the concert with the caption, “Energy unmatched. Uyo came out heavy!” Her message was accompanied by heart emojis and a video of the crowd singing along.
Celebrity socialite Cubana Chief Priest, who was present at the event, praised the turnout and called it “a spiritual experience.” In a post on Instagram, he wrote, “Uyo shut down! No tickets, no problem — the people made it legendary.”
Local authorities confirmed that no serious injuries were reported, though several attendees required medical attention for minor scrapes and exhaustion.
The incident has sparked debate about event security and ticketing enforcement in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, especially as major artists continue to draw massive crowds across the country.
