Three people, including 22-year-old Abdulmalik Bakare, were killed after suspected cultists allegedly carried out a violent attack on the Oreta community in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
The deadly incident, which occurred on Wednesday evening, reportedly left residents in shock and forced many to flee the area as gunmen stormed the community and opened fire.
According to family members of one of the victims, six suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack. Relatives said police authorities have assured them that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killings.
Residents who witnessed the incident claimed the violence may have stemmed from an earlier dispute involving a trailer driver and a group of youths along Gbogbo Road.
According to accounts from community members, tensions escalated after an argument broke out over payments allegedly demanded from the driver of a container-laden truck. During the confrontation, a youth reportedly lost his life after becoming trapped beneath the vehicle.
Although authorities reportedly treated the incident as an accident, residents alleged that some individuals later regrouped and launched a retaliatory attack on the community.
Witnesses said armed men arrived on motorcycles at night and began shooting indiscriminately. Several shops and business premises were also reportedly vandalized during the attack.
Abdulmalik Bakare was said to have been preparing to close his shop when he was shot. A physically challenged child and another individual who was reportedly carrying out routine activities in the area were also killed during the violence.
The attack caused widespread panic across Oreta, disrupting commercial activities and leaving residents fearful of further violence.
As of the time of reporting, authorities had not released an official statement detailing the circumstances of the attack, while investigations into the incident continue.
