Two people, including the father of a bride and a hypeman identified simply as Victor, were killed in a violent attack by suspected cultists, throwing residents of Ikotun in Lagos State into a state of panic.
According to reports, the attackers had stormed into a post-wedding party and started shooting at will, forcing the guests to flee for safety, plunging the community into confusion as the incident unfolded.
The attack, it was gathered, occurred on Saturday along Oviawe Street, off Governor’s Road, shortly after a wedding ceremony and while guests gathered for an after-party.
Victor, the hypeman, was performing for the crowd when the gunmen entered the venue and opened fire indiscriminately, witnesses said.
“They were holding an after-party after the wedding ceremony at an event centre on Governor’s Road,” said a resident who spoke on the condition of anonymity. The gunmen stormed their midst during the celebrations and started firing.
This created a panic and everyone ran for their lives. They went straight to Victor, dragged him out into the street and began to assault him with dangerous weapons.
Another local said the bride’s father had been shot trying to stop the attack.
The father of the bride ran in and begged them to stop as the gunmen continued to beat Victor. “Both of them got shot during the process and they both died on the spot,” the source said.
The incident forced residents and business owners in the neighbourhood to quickly close their doors and seek safety.
“Sources from the community are hinting that it might not be directly related to the wedding ceremony but linked to the ongoing cult-related clashes in the area,” the source said.
“This area has been the site of violence associated with a cult for some time now. The attackers could have been targeting a target or rival group but innocent people were victims,” another resident said.
A neighbour, who gave his name as Steve, said Victor was a familiar face in the community.
My wife told me what happened inside. When I came out, they told me that Victor was in it. I later realised he was someone I usually see around the street. “He is small for his age,” he said.
The bride’s father and the attackers had not been identified at the time of this report.
The Lagos State Police Command, in a statement, said the matter was under investigation and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti.
“It is being investigated, it will be forwarded to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, today without fail,” she said.
