The incident, which was widely shared in a viral video, depicted Burna Boy abruptly exiting the stage after physically confronting a fan who tried to reach out to him.
This event sparked significant criticism on social media, with many users condemning the Grammy-winning musician and branding him as “the most arrogant Nigerian artiste.”
In response to the backlash, Burna Boy took to Instagram on Wednesday evening to clarify that his actions were influenced by his battle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He also emphasized his firm stance against fans jumping on stage during his shows.
“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, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a mental health condition that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.
His statement has elicited mixed responses online, with some fans showing understanding for his mental health challenges, while others questioned the appropriateness of his physical reaction.
Burna Boy’s performance at the Lagos Countdown was part of a free concert celebrating the New Year, during which he reportedly performed well beyond his scheduled time before the incident took place.