Lagos Residents Protest Against Rising Cult Violence

Some people living on Governor’s Road in Ikotun, Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, protested on Saturday. They were angry about the growing violence from cult groups after new killings in the area.

Our reporter found out on Monday that at least two people were feared dead in separate cult clashes across Lagos State. These incidents happened in places like Sangotedo in Ajah, Ikotun, and parts of Lekki.

PUNCH Metro learned from locals that the victims included a man named Ola and another person known as Chief Priest, who were killed in the attacks.

In Sangotedo, near a popular supermarket, a man was reportedly shot dead in what residents called a drive-by shooting. A local named Sesan told our reporter that the shooting happened on Friday.

"The guy was shot and left to die by the roadside," he said.

A video shared by PUNCH Metro from Naija Confra, a Telegram channel that follows cult violence, showed the victim struggling on the ground while cars passed by. The video’s caption said the attack happened near Blenco Supermarket in Sangotedo.

"The attackers reportedly arrived in a car, shot their target, and then fled the scene," the post stated.

In another incident, a suspected cult member called Ola was said to have been stabbed to death by a rival gang on Sansan Street in the Igando-Ikotun area. This new wave of violence increased tensions in the Ikotun-Igando area, leading residents to protest against the ongoing cult attacks.

Videos seen by PUNCH Metro on Monday showed many residents of Governor’s Road coming out in large numbers on Saturday. They wore branded T-shirts and carried banners with anti-cultism messages. Security personnel were also present to monitor the peaceful protest.

Community leaders urged young people to stay away from cult groups. One protester, speaking through a loudspeaker, warned residents against joining cults.

"If you are caught belonging to any cult group, you will face the consequences. The police and the Lagos State Government are involved. Do not try it," he said.

Another protester kept chanting, "No more cultism," urging everyone to reject criminal groups in the area. A resident named Oladimeji spoke with our reporter and described the community as a hotspot for cult violence in Lagos.

"Things are very tough here. Clashes among cult groups are everywhere," he said. He remembered a past incident where two people were killed, including the father of a newlywed. This man was trying to restore order after some hoodlums attacked a DJ hired for a wedding after-party.

"Some of these cult groups even rob and attack innocent people. So the protest and rally by members of the community is a welcome development," he added.

When we reached out on Monday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, did not answer calls or text messages asking about the recent killings and protests.