Residents of Ijegun Egba in Ori Ade Local Government Area of Lagos State have been thrown into panic following an attack by unidentified armed men, which reportedly left two people dead and several others injured.
The victims were identified as 40-year-old Gbenga Areagbo and Oladapo Olukoya. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived in the community on Tuesday, firing shots into the air and causing chaos.
They were said to have taken the bodies of the deceased before fleeing the scene.
Some community members believe the attackers came from the riverine area.
Reports indicate that a group had earlier stormed the local jetty, allegedly robbing people of their belongings.
A resident, Kudus Fadiku, recounted a previous incident involving the same group. He stated that last Thursday, a man named Wasiu Ademola was assaulted and injured, with an attempt made to take him away.
However, he managed to convince them that he was not from the community.
Another resident, identified as Kazeem, revealed that the matter was reported to the Satellite Town Police Division.
However, just three days later, the attackers returned, targeting another section of the town. Witnesses claimed they appeared to be searching for specific individuals, with someone among them pointing out potential targets.
When they did not find them, they reportedly resorted to robbing passersby.
Community leader Saeed Ayinde stated that the incident had also been reported to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Alagbon, Lagos. He described how the assailants arrived in multiple vehicles and motorcycles, carrying weapons.
“I was sitting with a friend, Lateef Arowolo, at Ade Oshodi Junction in Ijegun Egba when the group arrived. They approached a young man and asked if he was Lateef. When he denied it, they attacked him and later fled with the bodies through the jetty,” Ayinde explained.
Police have launched investigation into the incident, with the case scheduled for further proceedings on March 26, 2025.