Nigeria: Young man killed during cult initiation rites in Lagos

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria

A 26-year-old artisan, identified as Timehin, has been killed during cult initiation rites in the Awoyaya area of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State. The incident occurred on July 18 when suspected members of a rival cult group ambushed the initiation ground, leading to a shootout.

According to a relative of the deceased, Timehin had been taken into a nearby bush late in the evening to be initiated as a recruit into the cult group. When the assailants stormed the scene, the initiators of the rites scurried for safety, leaving Timehin behind. He was attacked and killed

The police have not yet confirmed the circumstances surrounding Timehin’s death. The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, was not available for comment at the time of filing the report.

This incident is not an isolated case, as cult-related violence has been reported in various parts of Lagos. In a similar incident in July, rampaging cultists hacked three residents to death in the Ebute Meta area of the state. In May, a cult clash between rival groups in the Owode Ajegunle area of the state left one person dead.