In 2023, filmmaker Jade Osiberu released Gangs of Lagos, a star-studded crime thriller that went on to win awards and attract international attention but not without intense controversy.
The film was heavily criticised by traditional institutions and the Lagos State Government, who accused it of misrepresenting Lagos culture, particularly the Eyo masquerade, by portraying it as violent and criminal.Two years later, in 2025, a viral video circulating online has reopened that debate.
The footage, which shows Eyo-costumed individuals involved in violent acts during a public event, has triggered renewed conversations on social media, with many Nigerians asking the same question that divided opinions in 2023:
Did Gangs of Lagos portray Eyo masquerades as violent criminal gangs, or did it depict violent criminal gangs disguising themselves as Eyo masquerades?
Supporters of the film argue that Osiberu’s work never claimed the Eyo institution itself was criminal. Instead, they insist the storyline highlighted how criminal elements exploit cultural symbols and costumes as cover for unlawful activities—an issue they say exists beyond fiction.
Critics, however, maintain that the visual symbolism in the film blurred the line between culture and crime, damaging the image of a revered tradition and justifying the backlash that followed its release.
With real-life incidents now mirroring scenes from the movie, many netizens believe time has added context to the filmmaker’s intent. “What people said was exaggeration in 2023 is now playing out in reality,” one user wrote. Others insist the debate should shift from censorship to accountability and public safety.
As the conversation trends once again, Gangs of Lagos continues to sit at the centre of a broader national discussion—one that questions storytelling, cultural sensitivity, and whether art sometimes reveals uncomfortable truths society would rather ignore.
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