Seven ‘killed’ as cult groups clash in Lagos community

No fewer than seven persons were at the weekend feared killed following cult clashes that occurred in Ajah, Eti-Osa Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos, residents have said.

They said four people were killed on Friday night and three others yesterday, claiming that cult wars were a daily occurrence in Ado, Badore and Oke-Ira areas of Ajah.

But the police denied any life was lost on Sunday night, noting that the gunshots residents talked about were fired by policemen to scare the gangsters who were planning to strike.

It was gathered that the police have arrested about 70 suspected cultists in the affected areas in the past three months, most of whom have been charged to court.

Already, 12 suspects identified as Juwon Abdulahi, 22, Ibrahim Ismaila, 32, Aliyu Abdulahi, 25, Kehinde Ajiwon, 29, Wale Yusuf, 34, Monsuru Muazu, 25, Umar Ali, 15, Jeremiah Ezekiel, 25, Isaac Ibrahim, 22, Haggai Sylvanus, 25, Emmanuel Samuel, 28, and Bernard Abosede, 40, have been arrested in connection to Sunday’s clash.

It was also learnt that the cultists usually came out around 8pm armed with cutlasses, guns and axes.
A resident who appealed to the state government and police authorities to put an end to the cult wars, said it had claimed over 25 lives since it began months ago. He said, “The cult boys come out daily once it’s 8pm with guns, matchet and other weapons to fight. Four people were killed on Friday night. Two are innocent and two cultists.
“Yesterday (Sunday) they shot for about one hour on the road unchallenged.

This is a known fact on Oke-Ira, Ado. Despite that it happens daily, you will never see the police there,” he said.

At Addo Road, it was learnt that one person was murdered last Tuesday in front of bar.
“Even at Badore Roundabout where police are stationed, the police disappear before 8pm the time the cultists start their war.

“The Inspector General of Police (IG) and Govenror Babajide Sanwo-Olu should come to our aid. We live in fear of being killed. People close their businesses around 6pm out of fear