Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A wedding celebration in the Ikotun area of Lagos State became a scene of horror on Saturday night, May 2, 2026, when suspected cultists stormed a family residence, shot the bride's father at point‑blank range, and executed a hypeman before fleeing into the darkness shouting a cult slogan. The attack occurred on Oviawe Street off Governor's Road, a densely populated residential neighbourhood. It was approximately 8:10 p.m. when the celebrations, which had moved to an after‑party at the bride's home following a ceremony at an event centre, were shattered by the arrival of armed men. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants came armed with a double‑barrel gun and machetes. The first victim, identified as Mr. Taiwo, the bride's father, was reportedly shot at close range in the neck and died instantly as he attempted to intervene. The second victim, a hypeman known simply as Victor, was shot in the head, sustaining severe head injuries, before being further attacked with a machete to the throat and jaw. He also died on the spot.
According to witnesses, the gunmen initially opened fire indiscriminately, sending guests running for cover. Instead of fleeing, the hypeman Victor was entertaining attendees when the attackers stormed the venue, singled him out, and dragged him outside onto the street to execute him. A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “They were holding an after‑party after the wedding ceremony. It was during the celebration that the gunmen entered their midst and started shooting. This caused panic as everyone ran for their lives. They went straight to Victor, dragged him outside onto the street and began assaulting him with dangerous weapons.”
As the violence unfolded, another witness, Tosin, recounted that the bride's father, deeply troubled by the attack, rushed to the spot to intervene and plead for Victor's life. “When the gunmen were beating Victor, the bride’s father rushed to the spot to intervene and plead for him. It was in the process that the gunmen shot both of them. They died on the spot.” The attackers left a chilling signature behind: as they escaped, witnesses heard them shouting ‘Abracayan,’ a slogan linked to a notorious cult group operating in the area.
The husband of a woman who gave shelter to guests during the attack, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene as something “out of a horror film.” He stated, “Our neighbours ran inside screaming. The father of the bride tried to calm them down, but they just shot him. Then they took the MC outside. The commotion was so loud but everyone was too afraid to help.”
Local residents, already traumatized by weeks of escalating violence, expressed deep frustration with law enforcement. A community leader who asked not to be named alleged that vital information provided to the police about the identity of suspects is often leaked back into the neighbourhood, exposing informants to deadly retaliation. “While we are trying to disclose vital information to the police authorities to arrest them, the police are usually leaking the reporter’s information to the cult boys,” the community chairman charged. A resident named Steve, a neighbour who knew the hypeman, described Victor as a well‑known member of the community. “I was indoors when my wife alerted me to the incident. When I got outside, I was told Victor was involved. I later realised he was someone I usually see around the street,” he said.
The attack on Oviawe Street is not an isolated event. Residents of the Governor Road axis have reported that between ten and twelve people have been killed in cult‑related violence in the area over the last two months alone. In a chilling disclosure, eyewitness Adeyemo Kayode revealed that about two weeks before the wedding massacre, a journalist was attacked by a suspected cultist identified as Sikiru Ishola, alias Binu, who resides on Owosho Street, adjacent to Oviawe Street. Ishola, said to be a landlord's son, remains at large. Residents have compiled a list of alleged cult figures they say are terrorizing the Governor Road axis. This list includes Hammed Aribidesi (alias Ijalo) of Abimbola Soetan Street; Kunle Poison of Fagbenro Street; John Sera and his younger brother Itua of Mariam Balogun Street; and another suspect known only as Poison of Lasisi Ige Street. Residents said they are compiling more names and pleaded with the government to act before more families are destroyed.
Police sources confirmed the incident on Monday, with a spokesperson stating that the matter is being investigated and would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for further handling. The Lagos State Police Command had recently reiterated its zero‑tolerance stance on cultism and electoral violence. The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, has continued to engage stakeholders on curbing cultism statewide. As of press time, the identities of the attackers had not been confirmed, and no arrests had been announced. For the groom, bride and their families, what should have been the happiest day of their lives turned into one of unimaginable grief as they buried two of their loved ones and began the long wait for justice.
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