Flavour concert sparks rape and ethnic controversy

The 31 March concert, which was supported by Nigerian Breweries, took place at the Michael Okpara Square in southeast state Enugu and featured such acts as Phyno, Tekno and Zoro.

Initially comments following the concert focused on Flavour’s well-received stage performance. But not long after, the tone of the commentary changed, as one attendee posted a report of women being raped at the packed event.

Last year, similar reports of rape made the rounds following a November concert by Phyno at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu. Online, some made the connection between both concert events taking place in the Igbo heartland, leading several female social media users to lay blame at the feet of Igbo men in Enugu and elsewhere. This, in turn, has led to a backlash from Igbo men using social media. Some have pointed out that the police have not spoken about a rape victim since the accusations reached the public.

Following the rape allegations at Phyno’s concert, the rapper responded by mentioning the number and might of security personnel at the event. “We had over 150 bouncers in the stadium. Over 300 policemen + civil defense, military personnel and the commissioner of police there,” he wrote on Twitter. He also said the police were investigating the reports.

So far, Flavour is yet to respond to the rape accusations at his own concert, which is said to have attracted tens of thousands to the venue. The police has however responded with a statement. “Those arrested will be made to face the music in line with various provisions and specifications of the law after investigations,” public relations officer of the state’s police, Ebere Amaraizu, said.

A statement released subsequently reads: “The Enugu State Police Command, through its operatives at the Independence Layout Division, has commenced investigations into the alleged conduct of some people, ranging from attempt to gang rape a victim, as well as other offences, during a musical concert at the Michael Okpara Square.

“One person, who is already helping operatives in their investigation, has been nabbed for his alleged role in the attempt to gang rape a victim at the aquare yesterday during the musical concert of a popular Nigerian musician.”

The hostile exchange between Igbo men and their accusers continues online.