Three killed in Lagos masquerader festival clash

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 us 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 PUNCH Metro 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.