In the Lagos Island region of Lagos State, a masquerade festival started on Sunday and resulted in the ruthless murder of at least three people.
Although the precise reason for the murders is still unknown, sources suggested that certain festival participants—who are also thought to be members of different cult organisations in Lagos—had taken over the event and transformed it into a struggle for supremacy.
Due to the delicate nature of the occurrence on Wednesday, a community member who yearned for anonymity claimed that things quickly spiralled out of control after the event concluded.
“A brawl broke out amongst some boys who were thought to be cultists shortly after the celebration was over. And before we knew it, they were brandishing some scary weapons and hurling bottles at each other. The resident recounted, “No one could even wait to calm the situation other than to run for cover.”
Suspected cultists were chasing each other down Lagos Street in the violent videos that were acquired on Wednesday.
At least ten attackers were shown gang-beating a victim in one of the videos, and at least five gunshots were heard.
According to another local, Kazeem, the altercation went on for hours, sending locals into a panic.
The altercation began in the evening and lasted until after midnight. The severity of the violence, the cacophony of their voices, and the devastation prevented some of us from sleeping,” he stated.
The commotion was further emphasised by Naija Confra, an account that is well-known for displaying violence associated with cults in Nigeria.
It read, “After a masquerade festival on Sunday, we learnt of a fight that has been raging on Lagos Island. Street gangs, the majority of whom are cultists, were involved in the altercation.
The Lagos State Police Command said in a statement on Tuesday that security has been increased in Lekki, Ajah, and the neighbouring communities, including Ogombo and Elemoro, in reaction to the skirmishes.
The command stated that the actions were intended to secure both public and private investments while protecting people and property.
“The Command has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers in the affected area as part of these measures, to bring new impetus towards curtailing crime and criminalities in the area, as well as to improve operational efficiency and a proactive response to distress situations,” the statement, which was signed by Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson for the command, said.
“The Eko Strike Force, a specialised intervention unit, has been sent to Lekki and Ajah to combat all types of crime and criminality in the Lekki area and its surroundings in order to further strengthen security.
“To ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for everyone, the Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team.”
Hundeyin further revealed that a covert inquiry into the murders had been started by the command.
“The command would like to notify the public that it has begun a covert investigation into the tragic event that took place in Lekki Phase 1 on Sunday, where three cultists were killed in an inter-cult conflict.
Members of competing cult organisations clashed at a security duty post in an empty open space near Wole Olateju Street at approximately 0500 hours. To address the situation and guarantee prompt action, CP Olohundare Jimoh, the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command, personally mobilised to the scene with joint police units.
“Several suspects connected to the crime were arrested in connection with the incident, and the newly formed Anti-Cultism Team and other tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command were immediately deployed to Lekki Phase 1.”
Hundeyin claims that 23 individuals were taken into custody after raids were conducted on many criminal hideouts in Lekki.
Those arrested include: Frank Okpara (27), Friday Ebuka (27), Babatunde Mufutau (24), Suleiman Muri (25), Olamide Malik (24), Nwaka Lucky (34), Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Ibrahim Abdul (22), Ibrahim Aminu (37), Nasiru Musa (27), Friday Nwafor (51), Ahmed Fatai (26), Aro Abiola a.k.a. Zino (25), Tijani Shehu a.k.a. Abana (26), Gift Igedi (31), Ugochukwu Chike (30), Ridwan Alex (37), Happiness Otigbo (27), Abiodun Adegun (37), Adedayo Adeoti (27), and Afeez Ahmed (31).
