‘Cultists didn’t attack anyone’ — LASU speaks on Poco Lee’s concert

The management of Lagos State University (LASU) has finally addressed the alleged violence that occurred at a concert organised by Poco Lee, the dancer.

The star-studded homecoming concert held at the institution ended abruptly on Thursday after some persons reportedly invaded the VIP section.

Bella Shmurda and Odumodublvck were among the musicians that fled the venue amid the ensuing melee.

There were claims that cultists were behind the disruption of the concert.

In a statement on Friday, the institution admitted that there “were indeed pockets of squabbles” but denied the alleged attack by cultists.

The varsity attributed the development to a lack of proper crowd control “resulting from poor logistics and planning by the organisers”.

“While we condemn in totality the unfortunate incidence, we have observed the twisted narrative that is beginning to be manufactured by malicious, and in, some cases, ignorant individuals, which warrants that we provide the correct perspective,” the statement reads.

“For the records, we wish to debunk claims of physical attacks on either the artistes who came to perform or students by cultists being spread about. We state unequivocally that at no point was Bella Shmurda or Polo Lee or any other artiste attacked. Bella himself has validated this on his social media channels.

“While there were indeed pockets of squabbles among revelers as to be expected in such a show, reports of fight break out or cult clashes are nothing but fallacies.

“We also wish to state for the records that the uproar that greeted the event towards its tail end was caused largely by reactions of excited students at having one of their own perform live for them on their campus.

“This is coupled with the issue of crowd control resulting from poor logistics and planning by the organisers, an independent entertainment outfit.

“From credible reports, the organisers of the show had sold tickets online with instructions for the attendees to obtain their tickets physically at the venue of the show.

“However, the crowd of students at the venue was beyond the provision of tickets made by the organisers leaving the men of the LASU security team to swiftly act to manage the situation with the support of men from other security agencies who had been invited before the show.

“Furthermore, even though the crowd was well controlled, the sighting of some of their own who have become celebrities did cause excitement from the students resulting in rowdiness.

“Seeing that some criminal elements were going to take advantage of the situation to perpetuate their evil intentions, the security team swiftly brought the show to an abrupt end and disperse the crowd around 5:30 pm.

“Indeed, the event ended with no single record of cult attacks as being purported. The general public is therefore urged to be wary of the falsehood being orchestrated against the name of the University at this time when the institution is being celebrated nationally and internationally over her recent exploits.”