Tragedy struck the Oreta community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State as suspected cultists reportedly killed a 22-year-old man, Abdulmalik Bakare, along with two other victims during a violent attack.
The incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, has left residents in shock and fear following what eyewitnesses described as a coordinated reprisal assault by armed men.
According to the father of the deceased, Tunde Bakare, the attackers stormed the community on motorcycles at about 8 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on residents and business owners.
He confirmed that six suspects have since been arrested, with assurances from the Divisional Police Officer that a thorough investigation is underway.
Sources within the community revealed that the violence was triggered earlier in the day by a dispute involving a trailer driver and some youths at Gbogbo Road.
The youths had reportedly demanded money from the driver, who insisted that a sum of ₦350,000 had already been paid to certain individuals at a nearby junction.
During the confrontation, one of the youths allegedly climbed onto the trailer but was accidentally crushed under its tyre, leading to his death.
Although the police reportedly intervened and described the incident as an accident, tensions escalated later in the day.
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A resident, who identified himself as Fasasi, recounted that the situation spiraled into violence at night when suspected gang members mobilized and launched a reprisal attack on Oreta.
“They came into the community shooting. A young man was about to close his shop when he was killed. They also shot a physically challenged child who was eating at the time.
Another victim who had come to buy fish was also caught in the attack,” he said.
The identities of the other victims are yet to be officially confirmed.
The attack caused widespread panic, forcing residents to flee for safety while business activities were abruptly halted.
When visited, the once-busy community was left in an eerie calm, with visible signs of destruction, including shattered shops and damaged properties.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get an official response from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful.
Authorities are expected to intensify investigations as residents call for improved security and swift justice for the victims.
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