A peace walk meant to promote unity and discourage cult-related violence in Lagos ended in tragedy on Monday, as a 16-year-old boy identified as Mustapha was killed by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in the Oyingbo area of Ebute Metta.
The walk, organised by youths in the community, was intended to raise awareness and encourage peace in the face of increasing cult activities in the area. However, shortly after the peaceful gathering ended, a heated argument reportedly broke out among some participants. In the confusion that followed, a suspected cultist allegedly pulled out a gun and began shooting indiscriminately.
Mustapha, who eyewitnesses say was not involved in any cult group, was struck by one of the bullets. He was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly died before he could receive medical treatment.
According to residents, Mustapha was a well-behaved boy who simply joined the walk to support peace efforts in the neighbourhood. “Mustapha just came out to support the walk. He was not part of any gang. He is a calm and respectful boy. He was taken to the hospital after the bullet hit him but he died on the way,” one source told reporters.
The sudden burst of violence brought the peace walk to an abrupt end, as panic spread across the area. Residents fled in different directions, while some tried to help those who had been injured. One of the organisers of the event was also reportedly hit by a bullet and is currently in critical condition at the hospital.
The peace walk had been organised by concerned youths in the Ebute Metta community in response to a worrying increase in cult violence. Over the past few months, there have been several clashes involving rival cult groups in Lagos, particularly in areas like Mushin, Somolu, and Lagos Mainland. These violent confrontations have claimed lives and left many injured.
Oyingbo and Ebute Metta, located in the Lagos Mainland axis, have also witnessed rising tension in recent weeks, with reports of gang movements and confrontations. Residents say they live in fear, especially at night when clashes tend to erupt.
The walk was meant to be a show of unity—bringing together young people from the area to take a stand against violence and encourage dialogue instead of conflict. Unfortunately, the event itself became a scene of bloodshed.
Community members are now calling for urgent action from security agencies and the Lagos State Government to prevent further loss of innocent lives.
The news of Mustapha’s death has sent shockwaves through the community. Many residents have expressed anger and sadness that a peaceful initiative turned into a violent scene, once again reminding them of how dangerous their neighbourhood has become.
“He was only 16. He came out with others because they wanted to say ‘no’ to violence, and look at how it ended. How many more young people must die before something is done?” a local woman asked.
Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “This is not the first time violence has happened here. These boys fight all the time, and it is always the innocent people who suffer. We need more police patrols. We need help.”
The problem of cultism in Lagos is not new. Over the years, several areas across the state have witnessed clashes between rival cult groups such as Aiye, Eiye, and Vikings. These clashes often result in killings, arson, and destruction of property. Young boys, some still in secondary school, are often recruited into these groups.
Just one day before Mustapha’s death, another gruesome incident occurred in the Idimu area of Lagos. According to reports, two bodies were discovered early Sunday morning along Oladun Street. One of the victims had been beheaded, and the other also bore signs of brutal attack. The killings, believed to be part of a cult-related revenge mission, left the community in fear.
The frequent recurrence of such events has sparked growing concern among residents, community leaders, and civil society groups, who are calling on the government to take stronger action against cultism and gang violence.
So far, there has been no official statement from the Lagos State Police Command regarding the shooting in Ebute Metta. Residents are hoping that arrests will be made soon and that those responsible for Mustapha’s death will be brought to justice.
Some human rights groups have also urged the government to intensify community-based policing and invest more in youth development programmes that can offer alternatives to cultism and violence.
In 2021, the Lagos State Government launched initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and neighborhood watch programmes to help support security agencies and reduce crime. However, many believe more effort is still needed at the grassroots level, especially in communities where young people face poverty, peer pressure, and lack of opportunities—factors that make them easy targets for cult recruitment.
Mustapha’s death is another painful reminder of the urgent need to address insecurity in Lagos communities. While the peace walk was meant to send a strong message against violence, the tragic outcome shows how deeply rooted the problem has become.
Community leaders and youth groups are now planning a candlelight procession in Mustapha’s honour, while also calling for the arrest of the shooter and stronger security presence in the area.
“We can’t keep losing our children,” one local leader said. “Mustapha wanted peace. The best way to honour him is to fight for the peace he believed in.”
As the family mourns their son and the community tries to recover from the shock, many are left asking the same question: How many more lives must be lost before real change happens?
Mustapha’s story is not just about a life cut short—it is a cry for help from a community that wants to live in peace.
