Tragedy Strikes Lagos Naming Ceremony as Suspected Cult Attack Claims One LifeTragedy Strikes Lagos Naming Ceremony as Suspected Cult Attack Claims One Life

A man identified as Saheed, popularly known as Emiloju, died after he was attacked during a child-naming ceremony in the Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State on Wednesday, January 14, in what residents believe was a clash linked to rival cult groups.

The incident occurred in the Alagba community where the victim had joined friends and other guests to celebrate the birth of a child.

According to witnesses, the ceremony was winding down when a group of unidentified men suddenly invaded the venue and targeted Saheed, sparking panic among attendees.

An eyewitness who asked not to be named because of the sensitive nature of the case said the attack unfolded quickly and without warning.

“They had finished naming the child when we saw commotion. We initially thought it was a fight until we saw Saheed in a pool of blood. That was when we discovered that it was an attack on him. This disrupted the party as the guests present fled the place,” the source recounted.

Details surrounding the motive for the assault remain unclear, but online anti-cultism platform Confra Naija suggested that the violence may have stemmed from rivalry between suspected cult factions.

In a post shared on Saturday, the group alleged that the assailants struck the victim from behind and used an axe during the attack.

“Saheed knew the area was not safe, so he attended with a gun, while the other two Eiye members with him were unarmed. When the Aye attackers came, they attacked Saheed from behind, causing him to fall, while the other Eiye members fled. Before Saheed could reach his gun, he was pinned down and attacked with an axe,” the post read.

The platform further stated that the injured man was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries two days later.

“The attack was brief because the fleeing Eiye members raised an alarm, causing attention and forcing the attackers to flee.

Saheed was taken to the hospital and died two days later,” it added.

Following the news of his death, friends and acquaintances expressed grief on social media, remembering the deceased as someone they had known for years.

A Facebook user, Toyeeb Okanlawon, wrote, “When we were in Alagba, it was all about love and party, but it is now killing here and there. Saheed, stainless, rest in peace.”

Another acquaintance, Gbedeyan Temitayo, shared, “Saheed grew up in the same alagba and played table tennis together.”

Also reacting, Ahmid Ayinla described the deceased as a childhood friend, saying, “This guy used to be a very good friend when we were little.”

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway.

Speaking on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, acknowledged the killing and assured that efforts were being made to identify those responsible.

“The incident happened. The deceased was rushed to the hospital where he died on Saturday. Investigation is ongoing,” Adebisi stated.

The latest killing has heightened concerns about persistent cult-related violence in parts of Lagos and neighboring communities. Despite repeated police operations aimed at curbing the menace, clashes between rival groups continue to disrupt public safety.

Only recently, separate confrontations in Owode Yewa, Ogun State, and the Ojo area of Lagos reportedly resulted in the deaths of four individuals, underscoring the growing challenge faced by security agencies in tackling cultism across the region.