He was busy attending to some customers when two young men approached. Initially, we thought they came to place an order, but without warning, they pulled out firearms and shot him multiple times at close range
Tragedy struck the Ebutte-Ipakodo area of Ikorodu, Lagos State, as suspected cultists gunned down a well-known shawarma vendor, identified simply as Benjamin, popularly known in the community as “Benji.” The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday while the victim was attending to customers at his roadside food stall.
Benjamin was the proprietor of Chibest Shawarma, a popular fast food spot in the neighborhood known for its bustling evening business and vibrant atmosphere.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the assailants, believed to be members of a rival cult group, approached Benjamin under the guise of customers. A resident, who gave his name as Samson, told Punch Metro that the attack was sudden and deliberate.
“He was busy attending to some customers when two young men approached. Initially, we thought they came to place an order, but without warning, they pulled out firearms and shot him multiple times at close range,” Samson said. “It was chaos. People fled in different directions. We later heard the attackers were part of a cult group seeking revenge.”
Another local resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the gunmen fled the scene immediately after the attack, leaving Benjamin in a critical state.
“Benji was left lying in a pool of his own blood. It was terrifying. For several minutes, no one could summon the courage to go near him because of how brutally he was shot. Eventually, a few people managed to rush him to a nearby hospital, but sadly, he was confirmed dead on arrival,” the source revealed.
The killing has thrown the community into mourning and panic, especially among young business owners and residents who knew the victim personally. A post circulating on social media described Benjamin as “hardworking, cheerful, and deeply loved” by customers and neighbors alike.
“Benji wasn’t just popular for his shawarma; he was known for his kindness and ability to connect with people. His death is a huge loss to the community,” one tribute read.
As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, had yet to respond to calls or messages seeking confirmation and comment on the incident.
The community is calling for swift police action to apprehend the perpetrators and restore a sense of security in the area.