Police arrest 7, probe Lagos cult clash

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into a violent clash between rival groups in the Ijanikin area on Saturday, which left at least three people dead and several others injured. Seven suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, following the recovery of arms and ammunition by […]

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into a violent clash between rival groups in the Ijanikin area on Saturday, which left at least three people dead and several others injured.

Seven suspects are currently in custody at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, following the recovery of arms and ammunition by police tactical squads.

The violence, reportedly a confrontation between rival cult groups from Ijanikin and Otto, spilled onto the Mile 2–Badagry Expressway.

The warring gangs exchanged gunfire using locally made pistols and dane guns, while also wielding cutlasses.

During the melee, stray bullets reportedly hit a commercial bus passenger and a bystander at the Ile Oba bus stop.

The chaos halted traffic, led to the destruction of vehicles, and resulted in the looting of several shops.

Although officers from the Ijanikin Station intervened early, the gangs retreated into inner streets, using burning tyres as barricades to continue their attacks.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, noting that while normalcy has been restored, a massive manhunt for fleeing suspects is underway.

According to SP Adebisi, the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a joint team of operatives and tactical squads to clear the blockades and reopen the expressway at the Otto-Ijanikin axis by.

“During the clash, one individual, identified as Akinyemi Omo Akin, was shot and later died in the hospital,” Adebisi stated. “Before police arrival, members of the public reported that both sides had brought in cultists who engaged in a gun duel.”

She confirmed that one locally made pistol and two live cartridges were recovered from one of the suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police has directed a full-scale investigation led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID. Massive deployment of personnel remains on the ground to sustain peace and forestall further breakdowns of law and order,” she added.