Naira Marley, a controversial Nigerian singer, has come under fierce criticism for holding a concert in Abuja, despite the increase in COVID-19 cases in the country. 

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The federal government had recommended that social gatherings involve not more than 20 people while also banning all events in a directive that is to be reviewed as it eases the lockdown.

Marley, who held an e-concert in May in compliance with government’s measures to contain the spread of COVID-19, would organise a “drive-in concert” on Saturday at the Jabi Lake Mall, alongside Kim Oprah, a former housemate of BBNaija reality show.

The two celebrities were also said to have travelled from Lagos to Abuja in a private jet, despite the ban on interstate movement and flights.

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It was, however, gathered that the concert failed to conform to the planned arrangement as showgoers turned up en mass, with many others violating physical distancing.

In April, Naira Marley was detained 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But all charges against him were later withdrawn after his statement of apology to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos governor, where he promised to abide by all government measures thereafter.

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Quite a number of Nigerians have since taken to social media platforms to register their different takes on the latest development.

While some users condemned the singer’s action, others jumped to his defense while also blaming the fans who violated the social distance directives.

“Somebody approved the Naira Marley concert 2. Somebody approved the non-essential flight to Abuja,” Joe Abah, a public sector reformer, wrote in a seeming irate tweet on Sunday.

“Somebody approved a bottle of hard liquor per ticket 4. Somebody didn’t stop the concert when it lost control 6. Somebody should be sacked this morning. If somebody is serious.”

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Here are randomly selected tweets portraying the opinions of Nigerians:

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