Naira Marley has staged a drive-in concert in Abuja, which later violated federal government’s directives on physical distancing as it witnessed massive turnout.
The controversial singer, who held an e-concert in May in compliance with government measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, had scheduled the Abuja event for Saturday evening at the Jabi Lake Mall.
As a drive-in concert, which became a trend after countries eased movement restrictions, fans were expected to remain in their vehicles at a predetermined distance while watching the stage.
But it was gathered that Marley’s event failed to conform to the planned arrangement after showgoers turned up en mass, with some defying social distancing.
The federal government had recommended that social gatherings be not more than 20 people, while banning all religious gatherings in a directive that’s to be reviewed as it eases the COVID-19 lockdown.
But some videos surfaced on social media platforms showing many Nigerians within close proximity of one another, without face masks, as others took to the forefront after the singer came on stage.
— Abuja People Defied The Pandemic To Groove Hard At – Naira Marley – Concert Last Night.
Advertisement– According to COVID-19 taskforce, public gatherings must to be not more than 20 people. Also flights are grounded. Naira Marley & KimOprah was in Lagos last week. pic.twitter.com/eVOUmRHbog
— – Viral Trendz (@TheViralTrendz) June 14, 2020
“Naira Marley’s Concert at Jabi Lake Mall Car Park was meant to be a drive-in concert. They seemed to have it under control until Naira Marley came on stage,” an attendee wrote on Twitter.
Others similarly added: “Naira Marley had a concert in Abuja full of people in the middle of a pandemic that has killed thousands. You see why many other people say the virus isn’t in Nigeria.”
“Disappointed is putting it lightly. The Naira Marley concert last night is everything a drawback in the fight against COVID-19.”
In April, Marley was detained by the police alongside Funke Akindele, a Nollywood actress, after the latter hosted a house party that the former attended, despite Lagos’ lockdown measures at the time.
But all charges against him were later withdrawn after his statement of apology to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, where he promised to abide by all government measures thereafter.
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