Peter Tosh, the legendary reggae musician, encountered an unexpected situation with Nigerian police during his first trip to Africa in 1982. Though not widely known, this story was witnessed firsthand by his manager, Copeland Forbes, who has shared the incident as part of Tosh’s remarkable journey.
According to Forbes, after completing a tour in 1981, Tosh was determined to visit Africa, the "Motherland," before performing anywhere else. “He said to me right after that tour in '81, that he’s not going back out on the road to do any more shows until he goes to the Motherland,” Forbes shared during a lecture at the University of the West Indies. Tosh felt a deep connection to Africa, and the time had come to fulfill that yearning.
### The Journey to Africa
The trip to Nigeria was sparked by a chance meeting with Nigerian singer Sonny Okosun in Cuba, where Tosh and Forbes had been performing. Okosun encouraged them to visit Nigeria, and Forbes knew the time was right when Tosh expressed his desire to connect with Africa. Nigeria became their first stop on the continent.
However, the journey quickly turned tense as the group encountered numerous military checkpoints along the way. Forbes recalled how intimidating it was, especially for Tosh, who was visiting Africa for the first time. “The soldier dem come wid dem big gun… Peter Tosh, first time in the Motherland, is faced with submachine guns,” Forbes recounted.
### The Encounter with Nigerian Police
As they passed through several roadblocks, the situation escalated at the eighth checkpoint. “These soldiers and police came up and stuck the gun at us. I know Peter don’t like that. I have to watch him enuh because I know him would explode,” Forbes said.
At this point, one of the officers recognized Tosh and asked for an autograph, giving the group a brief sense of relief. But that relief was short-lived. Despite receiving the autograph, the officer quickly picked up his gun again, ordered them out of the car, and began beating their driver. Tosh, known for his fiery temper, was ready to intervene, but Forbes managed to keep him calm.
The situation worsened when the police ordered them to be taken to the station. Forbes knew that if Tosh entered the police station, the situation could spiral out of control, much like the infamous incident at Half Way Tree in Jamaica, where Tosh had been beaten by police. “Can you imagine Peter’s first time in Africa, and we end up in a police station in Lagos?” Forbes said.
### The Standoff at the Police Station
Once at the police station, Forbes and the driver were left to sit on a bench, ignored by the officers. The tension mounted as Forbes worried that Tosh, impatient and enraged, would storm into the station and confront the authorities. “I know any minute I goin see a six foot three coming through the door, and I don’t want that in this police station,” Forbes recounted.
After two hours, a police officer finally approached Forbes, asking why they were there. After explaining the situation, the officer bluntly asked for an “extortion fee.” “Him seh, ‘ah give the officer five naira’,” Forbes recalled. Instead, Forbes handed over $10 in US currency, and the officer allowed them to leave.
When Forbes informed Tosh of the extortion, Tosh was furious, exclaiming, “Suh weh di bongo clippings him neva seh dat from outta street? An wi woulda gone a wi yard.”
### The Legacy of the Incident
This confrontation between Peter Tosh and Nigerian police, though stressful, marked the beginning of his connection with Africa—a place he had long dreamed of visiting. Tosh's trip to Nigeria was not only a personal journey but also an affirmation of his Pan-African beliefs, despite the challenges he faced.
This untold story of Tosh’s first African experience serves as a reminder of the resilience and fortitude he embodied, both in his music and in life. His vision of Africa as a spiritual homeland was unwavering, even when faced with corruption and hostility.
The legendary musician's journey to Africa, although marred by this incident, became a crucial chapter in the chronicles of his life, adding depth to his already powerful legacy.