‘Don’t bring your camera’: Filmmakers face extortion in Lagos
Summary
Filmmakers, photographers, content creators and journalists in Lagos say groups of men known as agberos demand money from them to film in public and threaten or assault those who refuse. Workers and analysts say the harassment can cause financial losses, put crews at risk and discourage reporting from some areas.Key Facts
- Documentary sound recordist Nurudeen Sanni said men demanded 100,000 naira from his crew during a shoot in Ajah.
- Sanni said a crew member was stabbed in the neck during the confrontation and was seriously injured.
- Music video director TG Omori said a crowd disrupted a night shoot in Ikoyi; a security guard was later injured, according to Nigerian newspaper PUNCH.
- Actress and content creator KieKie said she paid about 700,000 naira after men initially demanded one million naira following a shoot in Obalende.
- KieKie said she spent close to 500,000 naira on security for a separate shoot near Berger.
- Camera operator Karina Adobaba-Harry said men demanded money from her crew while they covered the demolition of Makoko in January.
- Risk analysts said the demands exploit the time and expense involved in leaving a filming location, and may lead journalists to avoid some areas.
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