Lagos: Tears, Commotion as Suspected Cultists Kill Prominent Skit Maker

• Confusion swept through Ibeju-Lekki, a bustling suburban community in Nigeria's economic hub, Lagos
• The fear followed reports that a content creator Austin was allegedly killed in the area by suspected cultists
• Legit.ng reports that violent cult attacks are a serious issue in Lagos as gangs engage in violence and criminal activities

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering metro.

Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos state - There was panic in Lakowe community of Ibeju-Lekki local government area (LGA) of Lagos state after a prominent skit maker Austin was found dead with machete cuts.

As reported by The Punch on Thursday, August 21, the incident occurred on Thursday, August 14.

Fresh suspected cultists' attack in Lagos

Austin, who is also a professional hairstylist, was said to have sensed danger before the attack.

It was gathered that some suspected cultists stormed the area in the early hours of Thursday, August 14, in search of the slain youth.

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On locating his apartment, they allegedly dragged him out of his room and hacked him to death on the spot.

A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity due to security reasons disclosed that the assailants also cut off Austin’s hand in the process.

He said:

“There was some sort of commotion early Thursday morning, but no one knew what it was. It wasn’t until later in the morning that we were told someone’s corpse was lying somewhere around the community. When we got there, we discovered that it was Austin’s corpse. We also saw his hand severed. That was when we realised it was connected to the noise we heard early in the morning.”

In a video, the lifeless body of the deceased was seen. Some sympathisers, in tears, circled the body.

Benjamin Hundeyin, the spokesperson of the Lagos police command, could not be reached for comments as calls made to his official line were not responded to.

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Cultism menace in Nigeria

Legit.ng reports that in communities across states in Nigeria, an invisible war is costing human lives and leaving innocent citizens caught in blood-soaked crossfires.

Cultism has become a critical national security threat in Nigeria, with hardly a week passing without reports of killings or arrests related to clashes between rival cult groups.

This growing menace has escalated violence, leading to frequent fatalities and injuries, not only among cultists but also innocent citizens.

Cult groups engage in various crimes, including murder, intimidation, kidnapping, and political thuggery.

Between 2006 and 2021, 5,822 deaths were recorded across 31 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) due to cult-related violence. Southern states have been disproportionately affected, with Rivers, Edo, Delta, Lagos, and Nasarawa states experiencing the highest number of fatalities.

Criminologist outlines reforms to stem cultism

A criminologist and justice advocate, Precious Esther Olagoke, has described the persistence of cultism in Nigeria as “quite concerning and alarming,” linking it to socio-economic vulnerabilities such as peer pressure and weak community safeguards.

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Speaking with Legit.ng, she identified urgent reforms to tackle youth cult recruitment, including strengthening police-community relations, offering psycho-social support, promoting community-led mentorship, sensitisation on the dangers of cultism, and parental accountability measures.

She stressed the need for “a community-centred approach to policing” that builds trust and encourages citizens to report suspicious activities, including cult-related ones.

On preventive strategies, she added that providing “psycho-social support for youths at risk” and creating “community-led mentorship where survivors of cultism share their experiences” could help deter recruitment.

Olagoke further advised that “education and sensitisation” should “highlight the short-term pleasure and long-term dangers of cultism,” while urging that “parents of wards identified as members of cult groups should face penalties such as community service” to promote accountability.

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Police kill cult leader in Rivers

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that operatives of the Rivers police command neutralised one Izuma David Odiereke, also known as Solution, a notorious cult leader operating in Owube kingdom in Ahoada West local council of the state.

Odiereke, the leader of the Greenland cult group, who has long been on the wanted list of the police, met his waterloo in a gun duel with law enforcement officers in a forest within the local council.

Addressing newsmen at the Ahoada area command, where Odiereke’s body was brought, the Rivers state police commissioner said the deceased was declared wanted in 2016 following attacks on police officers.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a criminologist for this report.

Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng