A 12-year-old boy identified simply as Wasiu has been killed by a stray bullet during a cult clash in the Mushin area of Lagos State.
It was learnt yesterday that the incident occurred around 8 pm in the Olosha area of the community when rival cult groups engaged in a violent confrontation on Wednesday, reports The PUNCH.
Our correspondent gathered that Wasiu had gone to buy food from a local vendor, popularly known as Iya Ibeji, when gunshots suddenly rang out.
A resident, Tale Amoo, told our correspondent that the shooting caused panic in the neighbourhood as everyone scampered for safety.
According to Amoo, the boy was, however, caught in the crossfire while also trying to escape to safety.
He said, “We started hearing sounds of gunshots around 8 pm, and people started running into their homes while business owners closed their shops.
“Meanwhile, Wasiu was waiting to buy food from a vendor called Iya Ibeji when he got caught up in the clash. It was while he also tried to seek refuge that the stray bullet hit him.”
Another resident who craved anonymity said the late Wasiu’s body was found lying motionless by the time the situation became calm.
The resident added that efforts to get him into the Lagos University Teaching Hospital proved abortive as the gate of the facility was shut.
“The tense situation was the reason why Wasiu did not get medical attention on time because no one knew he had already been hit by a bullet.
“Residents who found him lying on the floor quickly rushed him to LUTH, but their gate was shut. They tried to get through to the other gate, but the presence of the cultists along the route stopped them,” the resident said.
He added that the community had been terrorised by suspected cult members in the last few days.
Also speaking on the incident, a resident who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation told our correspondent that the community was gripped by hours of gunfire.
According to him, “The LUTH vicinity in Mushin was under attack by unknown persons as guns rang out for the past three hours. There were gunshots before 8 pm. They killed a child this same time.”
The Vice Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Tubosun Aruwe, in a statement yesterday, condemned the attack, describing it as senseless and heartbreaking.
Aruwe stated that the death of the deceased and others who had died during similar attacks was a tragedy that struck at the heart of humanity.
“I am deeply saddened and utterly appalled by the senseless and violent attack that occurred last night in the Olosha area of the Mushin Local Government Area.
“The loss of the innocent life of a 10-year-old child is a tragedy that strikes at the very heart of our humanity,” the statement read in part.
While expressing his condolences to the family of the deceased and other past victims, Aruwe pledged his support in their pursuit of justice.
“My heart goes out to the families of all the victims during this challenging time. I share in your grief and stand with you as we seek justice for these senseless killings,” he added.