Tragedy struck in Ikotun, a densely populated area of Lagos State, after gunmen suspected to be cultists attacked a wedding after-party, killing two people, including the bride’s father and a hypeman identified simply as Victor.
The incident, which occurred on Saturday night along Oviawe Street, off Governor’s Road, left residents in shock and forced many to flee for safety as gunshots rang out during what was meant to be a joyful celebration.
According to eyewitness accounts, the attack happened shortly after the wedding ceremony had ended, when guests had gathered at an event centre for the after-party. The atmosphere had been lively, with music playing and guests dancing, when the gunmen suddenly stormed the venue.
Victor, the hypeman who was entertaining the crowd, was said to be at the centre of the activity when the attackers arrived. Witnesses said the gunmen began shooting indiscriminately, causing panic as guests scrambled to escape.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity described the moment the violence broke out.
“They were celebrating after the wedding when the gunmen entered and started shooting. Everybody started running. It was chaos,” the resident said. “They went straight for Victor, dragged him outside, and started beating him with weapons.”
Another witness said the bride’s father was killed while trying to intervene and save Victor from the attackers.
“When they were beating Victor, the bride’s father came out and tried to plead with them. He didn’t want them to kill him. But in the process, both of them were shot,” the source said. “They died there on the spot.”
The sudden attack threw the entire neighbourhood into confusion. Residents and shop owners quickly shut their doors, while others hid indoors to avoid being caught in the violence.
Ikotun, like several parts of Lagos, has in recent years experienced cases of cult-related clashes, often involving rival groups fighting over territory or settling scores. Such clashes sometimes lead to loss of innocent lives, raising concerns about public safety.
Some community members believe the attack may not have been directly linked to the wedding but rather part of an ongoing feud between cult groups in the area.
“This kind of thing has been happening around here,” another resident explained. “It is possible the gunmen were targeting someone, maybe Victor or another person, but innocent people ended up dying.”
A neighbour, who identified himself as Steve, said he recognised Victor as someone who was well known in the community.
“I was inside my house when my wife told me there was a problem outside,” he said. “When I got there, I heard that Victor was involved. I later realised he is someone I usually see around the street. He is not a big person in size, but many people know him.”
The killing has left many residents worried about their safety, especially as such incidents appear to be happening more frequently. Some are calling on security agencies to increase patrols and address the issue of cult violence before it escalates further.
“This is very sad. A wedding is supposed to be a happy occasion, but it ended in tears,” a local shop owner said. “The government and police need to do something about these cultists. Innocent people are dying.”
In recent years, the Lagos State Government and security agencies have taken steps to curb cultism, including arrests and public awareness campaigns. However, incidents like this suggest that the problem is still far from being fully resolved.
Reacting to the incident, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the case is under investigation. She added that the matter would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti for further handling.
“The matter is being investigated and will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti,” she said.
As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been announced in connection with the attack.
Meanwhile, families of the victims are left grieving, as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into a painful memory. The killing of the bride’s father, in particular, has drawn sympathy from many, as he reportedly lost his life while trying to save another person.
Residents hope that the police investigation will lead to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, and that stronger measures will be put in place to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
For now, the community remains on edge, with many still shaken by the sound of gunfire that disrupted a wedding celebration and claimed two lives.