The authorities of Lagos have condemned ‘Gangs of Lagos’, saying the new blockbusting action movie portrays the culture of the state in a derogatory manner.
Directed by Jade Osiberu and co-produced by Kemi Lala Akindoju, ‘Gangs of Lagos’ was released on Amazon’s Prime Video on April 7.
The film is enjoying a positive reception in many parts of the world — while also under intense criticism in Lagos.
In a statement on Wednesday, Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, Lagos commissioner for tourism, arts and culture, said the film is a “mockery of the heritage of the state”.
The commissioner also frowned at Osiberu and Akindoju for insinuating the “Eyo masquerade as a gun-wielding villain while adorning the full traditional regalia.”
“We are of the opinion that the production of the film ‘The Gang of Lagos’ is very unprofessional and misleading while its content is derogatory of our culture, with the intention to desecrate the revered heritage of the people of Lagos,” she said.
“It is an unjust profiling of a people and culture as being barbaric and nefarious. It depicts a gang of murderers rampaging across the State”.
Uzamat said the Eyo festival is rarely observed and only comes up as a traditional rite of passage for obas, revered chiefs, and eminent Lagosians.
The commissioner added that the Eyo Masquerade is also used as a symbol of honour for remarkable historical events.
The development comes at about the same time when the Isale Eko Descendants’ Union (IDU) threatened to take legal action against the producers of the movie.
“The movie scandalously portrayed the Isale Eko community and Eyo masquerade in the bad light of platforms for criminal activities,” Yomi Tokosi, the union’s chairman, said in a statement.
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