Chaos erupted on Tuesday at the annual masqueraders festival in Orile Iganmu, Lagos State, after gunmen, believed to be members of rival cult groups, opened fire.
Reports indicate that at least three people were killed in the violence.
The festival, a cultural event featuring the tall masquerader known as Igunnuko, traditionally includes celebratory gunfire as part of the procession. However, the customary display turned deadly when a suspected cult leader and his followers reportedly aimed their weapons at rival members instead of shooting into the air.
A local resident, Toyosi, said some participants were also injured. “They were supposed to fire behind the masquerader as it moved, but when some boys spotted their rivals, one of the suspected cultists and his group aimed directly at them. Others were hurt in the process,” he explained.
Another resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, lamented the turn of events. “The festival is meant to promote peace and prevent calamities in the community, but what happened was completely unexpected. Historically, this event has been peaceful.”
The shooting caused panic, with many festival-goers fleeing for safety.
Naija Confra, an anti-cultism group, reported on X that two bodies were left at the scene, while one was taken away. The platform added that one of the perpetrators, identified as Babalawo, a notorious Eiye cultist, fled to Ilorin, Kwara State.
According to the report, “When the masquerade appeared on Tuesday, both groups began showing off their shooting skills behind it until a suspected cultist and his followers intentionally fired at their rivals. Residents confirmed three fatalities on the Aye side.”
Attempts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered.
This incident adds to a recent string of cult-related violence in Nigeria. PUNCH Metro previously reported that two men, identified as Jonathan and Konto, were stabbed to death during a suspected cult clash in Agbarho, Delta State.
