Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A 45-year-old caterer, Tosin Agbeyangi, has been arrested after he and his gang opened fire on police officers during a failed reprisal attack in the Mafoluku area of Oshodi, Lagos, mistaking them for rival cult members believed to be supporting a chieftain of the National Union of Road Transport Workers. The incident occurred on June 15, 2026, at about 10:45 p.m. on Mabolaje Street, Mafoluku, Oshodi. Agbeyangi, who sustained a gunshot wound to his leg during the shootout, was later found hiding in a nearby canal and arrested.
According to Agbeyangi's confession, he led about six suspected cult members to the residence of a prominent NURTW leader, Ganiyu Ayinde Oyedepo, popularly known as Koko Zaria. The gang's mission was to attack rival cult members whom they blamed for the killing of one of their associates, identified simply as Samuel, four days earlier. Agbeyangi told journalists, “We were coming from a birthday party around Araromi in Oshodi when we decided to go and check our rival gang members from Araromi Orile, who usually stayed in front of Koko Zaria's house”.
Unknown to the attackers, policemen on routine patrol had stopped in the area after noticing unusual movement. The gang opened fire towards where they believed their rivals were gathered, but the shots were directed at the officers. The policemen immediately returned fire, forcing the suspects to flee in different directions. The Divisional Police Officer in the area reportedly mobilised reinforcement while officers combed the neighbourhood for the fleeing suspects. Police traced blood stains to a nearby canal, where Agbeyangi was found nursing a gunshot wound to his leg.
Police recovered a locally made pistol loaded with one live cartridge and a Browning pistol magazine containing five rounds of live ammunition from the suspect. Agbeyangi admitted that the firearm and ammunition were in his possession but claimed he had collected the weapon from one Temidayo, who fired the shots during the incident. He insisted the group's mission was not to kill anyone and that they only intended to shoot into the air. “We didn't have any intention of killing anyone. We only wanted to shoot into the air. Temidayo held the gun,” he said.
Agbeyangi painted a picture of a community sharply divided along rival camps allegedly associated with influential transport union figures. He claimed there were two dominant factions operating in Oshodi: one group identified with the “Oluomo Nation,” while the other was aligned with the “Koko Zaria Nation”. He said, “Those from Orile Oshodi around Mabolaje belong to Koko Zaria Nation, while boys from Mafoluku, Ewu and Eniyanlonbinu belong to Oluomo Nation. They have been fighting each other”. However, Agbeyangi denied that the group was sent by anyone to attack Koko Zaria's residence or that he was part of any plot to assassinate the NURTW leader. “We are not members of the NURTW. It is not that these people are giving us any money; we just support them,” he added.
Confirming the arrest, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said investigations were ongoing and warned criminal gangs to refrain from violent activities or face the full weight of the law. She reiterated that the command is committed to tackling cult-related violence and ensuring the safety of residents across the state. Police have launched a manhunt for other members of the gang who escaped during the shootout.
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