By Charles Pemu 
ENUGU, Nigeria — What was anticipated to be a major highlight of Davido’s “5ive Tour” in Enugu on Saturday, November 1, descended into chaos as multiple attendees shared alarming reports of poor security, severe overcrowding, and incidents of theft and harassment at the Michael Okpara Square venue.
The Enugu leg, which followed smoother shows in Akwa Ibom and Adamawa, drew widespread online criticism. Concertgoers flooded social media platforms like TikTok and X with distressing videos and eyewitness accounts, alleging major lapses in event management and crowd control.
Reports indicate that the concert attracted over 40,000 people, significantly exceeding the venue’s estimated 20,000 capacity. This severe overcrowding, coupled with a nearly 12-hour delay in the headline act’s arrival (Davido appeared around 3 a.m. after a 4 p.m. scheduled start), created a volatile and unsafe environment.
Complaints and specific allegations from attendees include:
- Gate Breach and Ticketless Entry: Users reported that security broke down completely, allowing thousands of ticketless fans, described as “touts,” to force their way into the venue. One user, #adis_beautification, lamented, “The gate was broken, and the security guards weren’t at the gate… The security personnel did a terrible job.”
- Theft and Assault: There were multiple reports of theft, with victims claiming valuables were stolen, and in one extreme account, “razor blades” were used to cut open bags. Another user, #hairz_by_steph, alleged incidents of physical harassment in the densely packed crowd, stating, “They were pressing girls’ breasts and buttocks. A guy behind me was rock-hard.”
- Stampede and Excessive Force: The extreme crowd pressure led to a “stampede-like situation” at the entrance. User #mmachukwu described a harrowing ordeal where people were falling over each other. She further alleged that security personnel used excessive force on the crowd, utilizing tasers and long canes before eventually abandoning the gates entirely.
- Loss of Belongings: Several fans reported losing all their personal items, including phones, bags, shoes, and clothing, amidst the turmoil.
Across social media, users are condemning the event organizers for the apparent lack of safety planning and failure to manage the crowd size, especially since the previous tour stops reportedly went smoothly. The posts questioned why security was unable to enforce crowd limits and why the performer’s delay was so extensive.
As of press time, neither Davido nor the event organizers have issued an official statement addressing the security failures, widespread complaints, or allegations of theft and assault from the Enugu show.