2nd January, 2025
Famous Nigerian singer Burna Boy has revealed the reasons behind his controversial action of kicking a fan during his 2025 Lagos Countdown concert performance.
The incident, captured in a viral video, showed Burna Boy abruptly leaving the stage after physically assaulting a fan who attempted to touch him.
The video stirred backlash on social media, with many users criticizing the Grammy-winning artist and labeling him “the most arrogant Nigerian artiste.”
Responding to the uproar in an Instagram story on Wednesday evening, Burna Boy explained that his reaction was triggered by his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He also reiterated his strict rule about fans jumping on stage during his performances.
“It was a free show. I was supposed to do 10 minutes and did almost one hour. Everybody knows my rule about getting on stage and startling me when I’m performing,” he wrote. “I had an amazing time with Lagos State last night. Don’t jump on my stage like that! I got PTSD. I love you all. Happy New Year.”
PTSD, short for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition characterized by the inability to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.
The statement has drawn mixed reactions online, with some fans expressing empathy for the artist’s mental health struggles, while others questioned the necessity of the physical reaction.
Burna Boy’s Lagos Countdown performance was part of a free concert organized to celebrate the New Year, where he reportedly exceeded his allotted time on stage, delivering an extended performance before the incident occurred.