At least three people have been killed and several others injured after gunmen, suspected to be members of rival cult groups(Aye and Eiye fraternities), opened fire during a traditional masquerade festival in Orile Iganmu area of Lagos State.
The violence erupted during the annual procession of the Igunnuko masquerade, a cultural event traditionally aimed at promoting peace within the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the masquerade had just emerged for its customary procession when youths began firing guns into the air, which is a common ritual performed in such kinds of festivals. The celebration later turned violent when a suspected cult leader and his cohorts allegedly spotted rivals and directed their fire at them rather than into the air. This incident immediately ignited panic, forcing participants to flee for safety.
Residents confirmed that three individuals were shot dead during the exchange. An anti-cultism advocacy group, Naija Confra, reported that two bodies were left at the scene while a third was taken away.
Reports suggest one of the primary suspects, popularly known as “Babalawo,” has since fled the community to Ilorin, Kwara State for safety.
A resident, speaking anonymously due to security concerns, expressed shock at the violence during a peace-building event:
The festival is celebrated every year to allow peace and to forestall any form of calamity in the community, but what happened was otherwise. This is very unusual because the festival has always been very peaceful
The Lagos State Police Command is yet to release an official statement regarding the arrests, at the time this report was published.
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