Cultists Rob Lagos Residents, Hack 24-year-old To Death

Suspected cult members have invaded Iya Agan Street, Off Old Apapa Road, in the Oyingbo area of Lagos, dispossessing some people of their valuables and causing grief.

PUNCH Metro learnt that a 24-year-old, Fatai Suleiman, was hacked to death by the cultists during the robbery.

Our correspondent gathered that at about 4pm on Sunday, the cultists, who were said to be over 20 persons, invaded the area, and started shooting sporadically.

It was learnt that the cult groups, which invaded the area, were Omo Kogbagidi and Otto boys, who reportedly came on a reprisal to attack Olokodana Fagbayimu boys.

They were said to have used the supremacy battle as an opportunity to loot houses, shops and robbed residents.

Our correspondent learnt that Suleiman, whose body had been deposited at a morgue in Yaba, was hacked by the cultists, who reportedly stayed with him till he died at the spot.

His corpse was reportedly evacuated by policemen from the Iponri division.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro, a resident of Iya Agan Street, who gave his name simply as Omole, said a man was also shot in the eyes during the robbery.

He added that the hoodlums, who allegedly got their guns during the elections, had failed to return them to their political sponsors and were now fomenting trouble with the weapons.

He said, “On Friday, the Special Anti-Robbery Squad men from Ikeja visited the Apapa Road area, and arrested many of these boys.

“But we know that they will soon be bailed by politicians and will soon return to the area.

“When they invaded our area on Sunday, it was in the afternoon. They saw Fatai (Suleiman) in front of a house and attacked him with machetes. They hacked him until he was dead. A man was shot in the eyes during the robbery. A lot of residents are packing out of Old Apapa Road. These cult boys are having a field day.

“The government should partner with local vigilance groups and community leaders to fish out these boys and lock them up in prison. The hoodlums should be made to return all the guns in their possession.”

Our correspondent learnt that Suleiman’s relatives were at the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba, to seek permission to collect the man’s corpse for burial.

A landlord on Old Apapa Road, who begged not to be named, said the lack of basic amenities in the area was contributing to the reigns of terror.

He said, “Our area has suffered enough from these hoodlums, who manhandled everyone and set buildings ablaze to punish one another.

“They are successful because the area lacks basic amenities.

“There is no school, no drainage, no potable water, health care facilities, and good toilet facilities, among others.

“The new government should look into Ifesowapo, Otto, Ilogbo areas and take care of all these anomalies.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident.

He said, “The matter has been transferred to the State Department of Criminal Investigation, Yaba, where we are investigating further.”