Metro

Three Killed In Lagos Masquerader Festival Clash

Published

1 month ago

September 4, 2025

At least three persons were brutally murdered during a masquerader festival that began on Sunday in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

While the exact cause of the killings remains unclear, reports indicated that some members of the family involved in the festival, who are also believed to belong to various cult groups in Lagos, hijacked the event and turned it into a supremacy battle.

A resident of the community who craved anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident told The PUNCH on Wednesday that the situation descended into chaos shortly after the festival ended.

“We had just finished the festival when a fight broke out among some boys suspected to be cultists. And before we knew it, they had started throwing bottles at one another while also wielding some dangerous weapons. Nobody could even wait to calm the situation other than to run for cover,” the resident narrated.

Videos of the violence, obtained by The PUNCH on Wednesday, showed heavy gunfire as suspected cultists chased one another along Lagos Street.

In one of the clips, at least five gunshots were heard, while no fewer than 10 assailants were seen gang-beating a victim.

Another resident who identified himself simply as Kazeem said the clash lasted for hours, causing panic among residents.

“The fight started in the evening and continued till midnight. Some of us could not sleep due to the intensity of the violence and loud noise from their voices and the destruction,” he said.

Naija Confra, an account known for showcasing cult-related violence in Nigeria, further highlighted the chaos.

It stated, “We received reports of a clash in Lagos Island that has been going on since Sunday, following a masquerade festival. The fight involved street gangs whose members are mostly cultists.”

In response to the clashes, the Lagos State Police Command, in a statement on Tuesday, announced tightened security across Lekki, Ajah, and surrounding areas, including Ogombo and Elemoro.

The measures, according to the command, were aimed at safeguarding lives and property while securing private and public investments.

The statement, signed by the command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, read, “As part of these measures, the Command has redeployed some Divisional Police Officers in the affected area, to bring new impetus towards curtailing crime and criminalities in the area and also improve on the operational efficiency and a proactive response to distress situations.

RES ALSO:Lagos Task Force Arrests 32 Drug Suspects In Midnight Raid

“To further reinforce the security, the Eko Strike Force, a specialized intervention unit, has been deployed to Lekki and Ajah to address all forms of crime and criminality in the Lekki area and its environs.

“The Lagos State Police Command calls on residents to cooperate fully with the intervention team to ensure the success of the operations and maintain safety and security for all.”

Hundeyin further disclosed that the command had launched a discreet investigation into the killings.

“The command wishes to inform the public that it has commenced a discreet investigation into the unfortunate incident that occurred on Sunday in Lekki Phase 1, where an inter-cult clash resulted in the death of three cultists.

“The clash occurred at a security duty post in an uninhabited open land space around Wole Olateju Street, involving members of rival cult groups at about 0500hrs. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally mobilised to the scene with joint police teams to attend to the situation and ensure swift action.

“The recently established Anti-Cultism Team and other Tactical teams under the Elemoro Area Command were immediately deployed to Lekki Phase 1, and several arrests of suspects linked to the crime were made in connection with the incident.”

According to Hundeyin, raids were carried out on several criminal hideouts in Lekki, leading to the arrest of 23 suspects.

Those arrested include: Frank Okpara (27), Friday Ebuka (27), Babatunde Mufutau (24), Suleiman Muri (25), Olamide Malik (24), Nwaka Lucky (34), Raphael Ashim (30), Wasiu Kareem (33), Sadiq Olabisi (40), Ibrahim Abdul (22), Ibrahim Aminu (37), Nasiru Musa (27), Friday Nwafor (51), Ahmed Fatai (26), Aro Abiola a.k.a. Zino (25), Tijani Shehu a.k.a. Abana (26), Gift Igedi (31), Ugochukwu Chike (30), Ridwan Alex (37), Happiness Otigbo (27), Abiodun Adegun (37), Adedayo Adeoti (27), and Afeez Ahmed (31).

Metro

Court Jails Football Coach For Sodomising Minor Player

Published

3 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

A Kano State High Court has sentenced a football coach, Hayatu Muhammad, to eight years in prison for sodomising one of his underage players.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, delivered the judgment on Wednesday, sentencing Hayatu without the option of a fine.

According to the prosecution, the coach, who lives in Sanka area of Kano metropolis, committed the offence twice in different locations. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges.

To prove the case beyond reasonable doubt, the state counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Arif Garba, presented five witnesses who testified against the defendant.

In his defense, Hayatu took the witness stand alone.

The prosecution stated that his action violated Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, which criminalises sodomy.

After reviewing all the evidence and witness statements, Justice Dahuru ruled that the prosecution had successfully proved the case.

He sentenced Hayatu to four years in prison on each of the two counts, to run concurrently — meaning he will serve a total of eight years starting from the day of the judgment.

Metro

Lagos Fire Service Rescues Woman From 60-foot Well In Ikorodu

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has saved a 32-year-old woman who accidentally fell into an uncovered well approximately 60 feet deep at No. 14 Mustapha Bolatiwa Street, off Agric Bus Stop, in the Ikorodu area of the state.

The incident, which drew a large crowd of onlookers, was described by residents as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Eyewitnesses said the woman, whose identity had not been immediately confirmed, reportedly wandered from a nearby compound and was seated on the edge of the well before losing balance and falling in.

Following a distress call, operatives of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived swiftly and launched a well-coordinated rescue operation.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the agency, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the woman was pulled out alive after a tense and delicate rescue effort.

“She was immediately stabilised and transported to a nearby hospital for further medical care,” Adeseye said.

She cautioned residents to ensure all open wells and similar structures are securely covered to prevent avoidable accidents.

Adeseye also praised the professionalism and prompt response of her team, reaffirming the agency’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Lagos State.

Metro

DSS Arrests Two Dismissed Officers Over Impersonation, Fraud

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arrested two dismissed officers, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accused of impersonating the Service to defraud unsuspecting Nigerians.

The DSS, in a statement issued on Wednesday, confirmed that both individuals, earlier declared wanted in separate public warnings, have been arrested and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

“The Department of State Services recently issued disclaimers on two dismissed personnel of the Service, Barry Donald and Victor Onyedikachi Godwin. These individuals were alleged to be cloaking under the Service to engage in fraudulent activities.

“The public is hereby notified that these culprits have been apprehended and will face prosecution in accordance with the law,” the Service said.

This comes after a series of alerts by the DSS warning Nigerians against dealing with the former officers dismissed for misconduct but still parading themselves as active operatives.

Recall that the secret police had raised the alarm over the activities of Victor Onyedikachi Godwin, accusing him of using the DSS name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

In the same vein, on October 8, a separate statement was issued concerning Barry Donald, another dismissed officer alleged to be impersonating the agency for fraudulent purposes.

The DSS said it remains committed to protecting Nigerians from impostors and maintaining public trust in the Service. It also revealed plans to publish the names of other previously dismissed personnel to prevent citizens from falling victim to similar schemes.

The DSS urged members of the public to verify all official engagements through its verified communication channels and to report any suspicious activities involving persons claiming to represent the Service.