Two unidentified persons have been confirmed dead after a suspected cult attack threw the Ajah area of Lagos State into panic on Tuesday night.
Witnesses told our correspondent that the gunmen stormed a busy spot close to the Ikota complex, opened fire without warning and sent residents and business owners running in different directions.
One of the witnesses, who asked not to be named for security reasons, said the shooting started suddenly.
He said, “People were going about their businesses when we heard the sound of gunshots around Ikota complex. This caused everyone to run for safety. After the place became calm, two guys were seen lying lifeless at different spots.”
According to the source, the victims were adult males and had visible gunshot wounds when people approached them for a closer look.
An anti cult advocacy group, Naija Confra, later confirmed through a post that the attack was linked to a clash between rival groups.
The platform wrote, “Naija Confra reported a shooting near Ikota Shopping Complex, Ajah, Lagos. We can now confirm that the incident was cult-related, involving Aye and Eiye.
The attack was carried out by Aye, and two people were reportedly targeted. At this time, we have not identified the victims and cannot say whether they were cultists or not.”
Several Lagos residents also shared their experiences online. An X user, Chibua Emmanuel, wrote, “It is true, two people were killed.” Another user, @Bigwhalenwa, said he fled when the gunshots rang out.
He said, “I heard gunshots around there, people began to run, and I also joined them to run for safety.”
A resident identified as @Deluxekids_TM recounted hearing gunfire as he approached Lekki County Estate.
He wrote, “I just bought food at Amala Oriki now, and when I entered Lekki County Estate gate, I started to hear the sound of gunshots.”
Efforts to get comments from the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, were unsuccessful as calls to her line were not answered, and a text message sent to her had not been replied to at the time of filing this report.
Cult related clashes have remained a recurring concern across Lagos despite ongoing police operations aimed at curbing gang violence.
A similar confrontation between suspected Aiye and Eiye members in the Awoyaya axis recently led to the death of one person.
