By Akinwale Kasali
Tragedy struck at the Ikotun area of Lagos, as suspected cultists stormed a wedding ceremony, and killed the bride’s father and a hypeman, identified as Victor.
The densely populated area was deserted Saturday night, as the suspected Cultists invaded the Wedding After Party along Oviawe Street on Governors Road in Ikotun, shooting sporadically into the air.
According to eyewitnesses account, the attack happened shortly after the wedding ceremony had ended, when guests had gathered at an event centre for the after-party. The atmosphere was lively, with music playing, and guests dancing, when the Cultists suddenly stormed the venue.
The first target was Victor the hypeman, who was shot, as he tried to escaped after being hit by a gunshot. The Men ran after him, shooting him multiple times, before matcheting him.
The bride’s father was also shot as he was trying to scamper for safety.
Another account from an eyewitness who craved anonymity stated that:
“When they shot Victor and started matcheting him, the bride’s father came out and tried to plead with them. He didn’t want them to kill him. But in the process, both of them were shot.
“They died there on the spot. They were rushed to the hospital, but the hospital said they were Brought In Dead, BID”, the source said.
The attack threw the entire neighbourhood into confusion. The incident is still being discussed. Police investigation of the incident has started.
Some residents and shop owners are yet to come to terms with the occurrence. Many shops in the area have remained shot.
A young man identified as Simple, said that a lot of youths have fled the area because of fear of possible reprisal attack by rival cult groups, and, also, for the fear of Police, who residents said will be making indiscriminate arrests.
Ikotun, like several parts of Lagos, has in recent years experienced cases of cult-related clashes, often involving rival groups fighting over territory or settling scores.
Such clashes sometimes lead to loss of innocent lives, raising concerns about public safety.
Some community members believe the attack may not have been directly linked to the wedding but rather part of an ongoing feud between cult groups in the area.
Another residents said: “This kind of thing has been happening around here before, it is possible the gunmen were targeting someone, maybe Victor or another person, but innocent people ended up dying”, he stated.
A neighbour, who identified himself as Steve, said he recognised Victor as someone who was well known in the community.
“I was inside my house when my wife told me there was a problem outside, When I got there, I heard that Victor was involved. I later realised he was I usually saw around the street. He was not a big person in size, but many people knew him as a hypeman”.
The killing has left many residents worried about their safety, especially as such incidents appear to be happening more frequently. Some are calling on security agencies to increase patrols and address the issue of cult violence before it escalates further.
“This is very sad. A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion, but it ended in tears. The government and police need to do something about these cultists. Innocent people are dying”, a shop owner in the area lamented.
There are insinuations that Victor may also be a Cultist of a rival group, possibly he was the target, coincidentally, leading to the killing the bride’s Father.
But some residents claim that Victor was a gentle, friendly and passionate person in the community, who was a friend to everyone and also respectful.
Another source stated that Victor may have identified some of the Cultists, leading to them killing him in cold blood.
It however remains a mystery, which only the Police can unravel.
SP Abimbola Adebisi, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, reacting to the incident said that the case is under investigation.
She added that the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, in Panti for further handling.
“The matter is being investigated and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti,” she said.
No arrest has been made so far by the Police as at the time of filing in this report.
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