A tragic incident unfolded in the Mushin area of Lagos State on the evening of Wednesday, July 2, when a 12-year-old boy identified as Wasiu lost his life after being struck by a stray bullet during a violent clash between rival cult groups.
According to eyewitnesses, the violence erupted around 8 p.m. in the Olosha community. Residents began to hear sporadic gunfire as suspected cultists engaged in a fierce confrontation.
Panic quickly spread through the neighborhood as people fled indoors and business owners hastily shut down their shops for safety.
Wasiu, unaware of the brewing danger, had ventured into the area to buy food from a popular vendor known locally as Iya Ibeji. Tragically, he walked into the heart of the conflict just as gunshots rang out. A resident, Tale Amoo, recounted the terrifying moment:
“We started hearing gunshots around 8 p.m., and everyone began running into their homes. Wasiu was waiting to buy food when he got caught in the chaos. As he tried to find shelter, a stray bullet hit him.”
The boy was left lying helplessly on the ground, unnoticed at first due to the confusion and fear that gripped the area. When some residents eventually found his motionless body, they rushed to get him medical help. However, their efforts were met with further frustration.
In a desperate attempt to save the child, the residents carried Wasiu to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), only to find the hospital gate locked.
“Because of the tension in the area, no one realized immediately that the boy had been hit. By the time he was found, and they got him to LUTH, the gate was shut. They tried using another entrance, but cultists had taken over the route, making it too dangerous to proceed,” another resident explained.
The full circumstances surrounding the incident are still emerging, and the Lagos State Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
The death of young Wasiu has thrown the community into mourning and renewed public concern over the persistent menace of cult violence in urban neighborhoods. Many residents are now calling on law enforcement to intensify patrols and restore peace to the troubled area.