By Christopher Oji
There was pandemonium Wednesday night as five people were shot dead while many others were injured during a clash involving three rival cult groups in Bariga, Lagos State.
The cult groups were planning to mark their annual celebration 7/7 when the fight broke out. Daily Sun gathered that one victim was in critical condition in the hospital at the time of this report. However, the police said only three people were killed during the cult war. It was further gathered that the battle of supremacy started last week when each cult group announced that it was preparing for a 7/7 programme, and warned residents to remain indoors at night.
A resident, Wasiu said: “One cult group would announce that we should remain indoors, a few minutes later, another group would come and warn that we should disregard the other one, yet another would come again to give a counter order. With the announcements so far, we were able to gather that there are three different cult groups battling for control of the area.
“We were shocked yesterday night (Wednesday) when they took their battle to a new level as they started shooting. The sporadic shooting started around the Idi-Aba area, popularly known to be a hideout of notorious cultists, and a major base of drug dealers.
“The shooting spread towards Akilo, Sungas, and inwards Olorunkemi Street in Shomolu, where innocent passersby sustained varying degrees of injury. We went inside our homes, but people returning from work or coming from travel had to run for cover. We couldn’t come out till early morning today, when we saw dead bodies littered on the streets. At least five people were killed. Three bodies were recovered on the streets, while others died at home. Presently, one person I know very well is in a coma in the hospital. The way I saw him, he may not survive it, as his family is not able to deposit money as demanded by the hospital management.
“We are calling on the Commissioner of Police, Mr Idowu Owohunwa, to come to our rescue, as the cultists have sent messages to some areas that they would avenge the killing of their gang members, starting from tomorrow (today), as part of their 7/7 celebration.
However, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed the attack, said, “we are aware of the cult war. The number of casualties is three and not five.”