LAGOS, NIGERIA — A man identified simply as Opeyemi has drowned after he allegedly jumped into a river while being chased by suspected cultists in the Agility area of Mile 12, Lagos State.
According to eyewitness accounts, the incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when Opeyemi, a resident of the area, was accosted by a group of men suspected to be members of a rival cult group. The assailants reportedly chased him through the busy Mile 12 market area, brandishing dangerous weapons and shouting threats. In a desperate bid to escape, Opeyemi ran towards the riverbank and plunged into the water.
Witnesses said he attempted to swim across to the other side but appeared to struggle against the strong current. The suspected cultists reportedly stood at the riverbank for a few minutes before fleeing the scene when they noticed that passersby were beginning to gather. Despite efforts by local divers and fishermen to rescue Opeyemi, his body was recovered several hours later, lifeless.
A trader at the Mile 12 market, who identified herself as Mrs. Adebisi, said the incident caused panic in the area. “We were all running for our lives when we saw them chasing him with cutlasses and guns. Before we knew it, he had jumped into the river. It was a terrible sight. We tried to help, but the current was too strong,” she said.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident and said an investigation had been launched to identify and apprehend the suspects. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the command had received a report of the incident and had deployed officers to the area. He confirmed that the body of the deceased had been recovered and deposited at a mortuary for autopsy.
“We have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of the young man. We are working to identify the suspects and bring them to justice. We urge anyone with useful information to come forward,” Hundeyin stated.
The incident has sparked outrage in the community, with residents calling on the police to intensify efforts to curb cult-related violence in the area. The Agility area of Mile 12 has been a flashpoint for cult clashes in recent months, with rival groups engaging in violent confrontations that have resulted in deaths and injuries.
Residents said they live in fear and have called on the government to take decisive action to restore peace and security in the community. “We cannot continue to live like this. Every day, we are afraid for our lives. The government and the police must do something about these cultists,” said Mr. Chukwuma Eze, a community leader.
The Lagos State Government has expressed sympathy for the family of the deceased and vowed to support the police in their investigation. The government also reiterated its commitment to tackling cultism and other forms of criminality in the state.
The death of Opeyemi is a grim reminder of the dangers posed by cultism in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. For now, the community mourns the loss of a young man, while the police continue their manhunt for those responsible. The incident has also renewed calls for parents and guardians to warn their children against joining cult groups, which have been linked to a significant number of violent crimes in the country.
