Agency report
At least four persons have been feared killed following clash of rival cult groups in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State.
The clash which lasted for three days as the cult groups battled for supremacy has caused tension among residents of the area.
It was gathered that the fight was between the Kogbagidi Boys and Willoughby Boys.
The Kogbadigi Boys are led by one Tunde, aka Omo Aiye, while the Willoughby Boys are led by one Ase.
The Head of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Lagos Mainland Local Government Area, Agbodemu Ishola, said the cult fight had been going on for a long time.
He said, “They have been on this issue of supremacy in Ebute Metta for a long time now and the Kogbagidi Boys and Freeman Boys are led by one man we know as Ase. They are fighting over territory and they are also being used by politicians.
“They use guns at will among other weapons they use in robbing and killing each other. We have recorded four deaths since they started this fight on Thursday.”
The deceased were identified as Lati Epon, Kokobiri, Lateef and Ajagun.
A vigilante, Akogun Lateef, said, “In front of the plaza on Herbert Macaulay Road, these boys from Jebba and Freeman have been robbing people. Even church members are not spared as they close from church.”
A resident on Cole Street, Layode Israel, said that Ebute Meta was becoming a haven for cultists.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said policemen and patrol vehicles had been deployed in the area.
Asked about the number of casualties, the PPRO said, “The police are still investigating the matter and when we have the facts, they will be made known to members of the public.”
In recent times, cultism has assumed a new dimension as cult members use supremacy battles to unleash terror on members of the public.
The Lagos State House of Assembly passed the Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Bill 2020 into law in order to curb cult activities in the state.
