Nigeria: Tragedy in Ikorodu: beloved shawarma vendor gunned down in suspected cult attack
By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
A dark cloud hangs over the Ebutte-Ipakodo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, following the shocking killing of a popular shawarma vendor known locally as Benji. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday night around 8:30 p.m., has left the community in mourning and fear.
Benji, whose real name was Benjamin, was the owner of Chibest Shawarma, a well-loved roadside food stand in the neighborhood. According to witnesses, he was attending to customers when two young men approached his stall. At first, no one suspected anything unusual—many thought they had come to buy food.
But in a horrifying twist, the men suddenly pulled out guns and opened fire at close range.
“Everyone scattered when we heard the shots,” said a resident, Samson, who witnessed the scene. “They shot him multiple times before fleeing. We later found out it was a cult rivalry—those men came for revenge.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, said Benjamin lay in a pool of blood for several minutes before anyone could summon the courage to approach. “People were too afraid to go near him immediately. By the time they got him to the hospital, it was too late.”
The loss has sent shockwaves through the community. Social media tributes described Benji as hardworking, friendly, and someone who always wore a smile. “He wasn’t just a vendor. He was our friend,” one post read.
This killing comes amid a troubling rise in cult-related violence in Lagos. Just weeks earlier, a 16-year-old boy named Mustapha was struck by a stray bullet during a suspected cult clash in Ebute Metta. Ironically, the shooting occurred right after a peace walk meant to promote unity among the youth.
Authorities have yet to respond publicly to Benji’s death. Attempts to reach the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful at the time this report was filed.
For now, the residents of Ikorodu are left with heavy hearts, unanswered questions, and a growing sense of insecurity in their once-lively neighborhood.
