Police confirm murder of two at Lagos wedding party, launch probe

by · The Eagle Online

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed and commenced a full-scale investigation into the killing of two persons during a wedding after-party in Ikotun area of the state.

The victims, identified as the bride’s father and a hypeman popularly known as Victor, were shot dead when gunmen suspected to be cultists stormed the venue of the celebration along Oviawe Street, off Governor’s Road, last Saturday.

The incident has heightened concerns over recurring cult-related violence in the area, with residents calling for urgent security intervention.

Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Command, SP Adebisi Abimbola, said the matter was already under investigation.

“The matter is being investigated; it will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, today unfailingly,” she said.

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Abimbola, however, added, “We are yet to ascertain if the killing is cult-related. The case has been transferred to the SCID for further thorough investigation. No suspect arrested as of this minute.”

Eyewitness accounts indicated that the assailants invaded the venue while guests were being entertained, causing chaos as they opened fire.

“They were holding an after-party after the wedding ceremony was held at an event centre on Governor’s Road.

“It was during the celebration that the gunmen entered their midst and opened fire indiscriminately.

“This made everyone present run for their lives. They then went straight to Victor, dragged him outside onto the street and started hitting him with dangerous weapons,” a resident said.

Another resident, who did not want his name mentioned due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the bride’s father, who was uncomfortable with the attack, decided to intervene and was shot in the process.

“When the gunmen were beating Victor, the bride’s father rushed to the spot to intervene and plead for him. It was in the process that the gunmen shot both of them. They died on the spot.”

It was gathered that the incident threw the community into confusion, as residents and business owners rushed indoors.

The source further disclosed that the attack might not have been directly connected to the wedding but could be linked to ongoing rival cult clashes in the community.

“This area has been experiencing cult-related issues for some time. It is possible that the attackers were trailing someone or targeting a rival, but innocent people ended up as victims,” the source added.

The killings triggered panic across the neighbourhood, forcing residents and business owners to shut down activities abruptly.

Residents in the community linked the attack to ongoing cult clashes in Ikotun and its environs.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the bride’s father and the fleeing attackers were yet to be officially confirmed.

The police, however, assured that efforts were underway to track down those responsible, even as residents urged increased patrols and intelligence gathering to curb violent crimes in the community.

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