Cultists go on rampage in Lagos, kill guard

The ongoing cult war between suspected members of Aiye and Eiye confraternities has led to the killing of four persons in different areas of Ijanikin, a Lagos community in the last three months.

The battle for supremacy has left palpable fear in the minds of residents within the area following another gruesome killing of a security guard identified simply as Abiodun by suspected cultists on Tuesday night.

Abiodun, also known as Abbey, was hacked down by an eight-man killer squad in front of a supermarket along Joseph Akinola Street, Alasia in Ijanikin area of Lagos.

Eyewitnesses said he was engaged as a security guard two years ago by residents of the area after series of armed robbery attacks, which had also led to loss of property worth millions of naira. According to an eyewitness, Abbey was sliced to death with cutlasses and sticks by his assailants who arrived on foot and left on foot unchallenged.

“Abbey was killed about 10 metres away from where a wine seller, identified as White, was killed by suspected secret cult gang members in March. Like Abbey, White was beaten to death with a rod. Three persons, including a husband and wife who offered to help White to the hospital were arrested for murder. How can one help in future if those who offer to help someone in distress is later arrested and made to look like the killer,” the witness, who does not wish to be named for fear of possible intimidation, said.

The eyewitness added that White was hacked to death at Alasia Bus Stop in front of his wine shop after shots fired at him did not penetrate his body. His body was later dumped at the General Hospital mortuary in Badagry.

Abbey’s killing on Tuesday saw petty traders, commercial motorcycle operators and shop owners scampering for safety as the assailants walked away on foot. An Okada rider, who also pleaded anonymity, said several persons ran into their houses when the boys, whose ages were between 19 and 25, started matcheting the guard.

“I was inside my shop when I received a call that I should lock it up and go home because the area was about to scatter. As I stood up to lock up, I saw people running into our compound to take refuge. All of us were on the floor, while the attack was on”, he said.

Another member of the community said the police from Ijanikin Division arrived about one hour after the killers left to pick Abbey’s body. The source said that, rather than take the body to a mortuary on Tuesday night, the police dumped the body in front of the station.

“The annoying aspect of it all is that policemen at Ijanikin collected N5,000 from Abbey’s aged mother before they released the body to her for burial. You can imagine how heartless they are. We have been attacked at Alasia bus-stop several times by robbers in the morning and at night without the police coming to our rescue. The Divisional Police Officer is aware of the atrocities committed on a daily basis by policemen attached to the station, every time, it is the residents who pay for it,” the source added.

Lagos State police spokesman could not be reached on phone as his line was switched off as at press time yesterday.