CBRN event in Nigeria on Sat 2nd May 2026

Tear gas halted a boxing bout in Nigeria as the fighters and referee were forced to cover up with towels to protect themselves from the toxic substance.

The event took place in Lagos on Saturday morning (AEST) and was headlined by social media influencers Portable and Carter Efe. But it was temporarily stopped during the undercard fight between Basit Adebayo and Loren Japhet when the referee identified the tear gas making its way into the ring. Watch the tear gas incident in the player above He sent both men to their corners and then swiftly grabbed a towel after beginning to cough from the gas. According to The Sun, the substance was used by security who were attempting to stop fans without tickets from forcing their way into the Balmoral Convention Center Federal Palace Hotel. British boxer Joe Laws was warming up for his fight against Elvis Ahorga during the time of the incident, but reportedly “ripped his wraps off and stormed out of the venue” after being caught up in the tear gas. He later shared the video of the tear gas on his social media. Moments after the Adebayo-Japhet fight was stopped, one DAZN commentator said: “It does look like we’re going to have to take a break for people to get themselves back.” Before another broadcaster added: “So we’ve had confirmation that apparently there is some tear gas in the air.” After the chemical had passed, the fight was restarted following an “initial evacuation,” with Adebayo going on to claim victory. But it was the tear gas stoppage that made headlines as boxers and fight fans reacted on social media.