By Daniel Ojukwu
Cult clashes in the Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have left no fewer than 40 persons dead and mutilated since October, 2021.
The Ijora-Badia area of the LCDA has hosted the majority of these clashes where victims are often left with missing arms and legs, injuries that either lead to their death or are inflicted after the killing.
Speaking with FIJ on condition of anonymity, a source whose family lives on Matiminu street, a 373-meter long neighbourhood in Ijora-Badia, told our reporter that on his street, six people were killed and dismembered in three months.
In the early hours of Sunday, the source said a man simply identified as Dayo, a former Matiminu resident, was murdered in his new apartment in Ebute Metta at about 2 am.
“Last Monday, one Yinka was butchered in broad daylight,” the source said. “This was done in broad daylight; people are being killed and the police are aware.
“The fear of the unknown has been killing us. We cannot speak up because they can attack us any time.”
The source told FIJ that some others killed on his street were identified as Abbey, Ifidoh and Timaya.
“These people walk free on the streets despite the evil they perpetrate,” the source said of the culprits. “One faction has a gang in railway line, Ghana village, and this is known to the police, but no one has busted them.
“Another gang has their base inside Ali Iwo in Apapa-Iganmu.”
On October 13, the death of one Rotimi Esomojumi, alleged cultist and son of a retired police officer, was reported.
Esomojumi was one of two people killed in a clash of machete-wielding cultists in Ijora-Badia. He succumbed to injuries from a machete cut on Arane street.
FIJ reached out to Saheed Quadri, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ijora-Badia, for comments, and he said the police were aware of the clashes, but victims were cult members from warring cult groups.
“They are just fighting among themselves,” Quadri told FIJ. “Eiye, Aiye cultists; we have arrested some of them and they are currently in state CID, Panti.”
Asked if the police were taking extra steps to improve security in the area, Quadri said they were doing their best.
FIJ attempted to speak with Adekunle Ajisebutu, Lagos Police public relations Officer (PPRO), but his phone was switched off as of press time. A text message sent to him was not replied to.
