Two men believed to be members of rival cult groups have been killed following a fresh wave of cult-related violence in the Ojo area of Lagos.
Sources gathered that the attacks occurred on Sunday at different locations within the community.
The incidents are suspected to be connected to ongoing retaliatory clashes between opposing factions.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, disclosed that both victims were discovered with gunshot wounds before security operatives evacuated their bodies.
“Two lifeless bodies were discovered in different parts of the area on Sunday, both bearing gunshot wounds. We later gathered that the attacks were carried out by suspected cult members, likely in retaliation by opposing groups. The police eventually removed the bodies,” the source said.
An anti-cultism advocacy group, Confra Naija, claimed in a post on X that one of the deceased, identified simply as Monday, previously served as chairman of the Neo Black Movement at Alaba International Market and was also considered by some as a long-standing leader of the Aye confraternity in the area.
According to the platform, Monday had allegedly been targeted by rival factions for some time. It further stated that one of his close allies, also described as a former Aye leader, was killed in March last year.
The group also alleged that the second victim, Efe, was another suspected leader of the Neo Black Movement in Ojo, although he was reportedly not very active within the locality. It claimed Efe was attacked while charging his phone during a blackout when suspected members of an opposing group confronted him.
Clips circulating on social media showed one of the victims lying inside what appeared to be an electronics store, while another video captured a man motionless with visible gunshot wounds.
As of the time this report was filed, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.
Attempts to contact the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, for confirmation were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages were not responded to.