Tragedy struck in the Awoyaya area of Eti-Osa Local Government Area, Lagos State, as a young man identified as Timehin was brutally murdered during a suspected cult initiation ceremony.
The unfortunate incident reportedly occurred on Thursday, July 18, 2025, when suspected members of a rival cult group launched a surprise attack on the initiation site located in a nearby bush.
According to sources familiar with the development, Timehin had left home late in the evening, informing family members that he was going to visit a friend. Unknown to them, he was allegedly lured into the bush to be inducted as a new recruit into a cult group.
However, the initiation process was abruptly disrupted when heavily armed assailants, believed to be from a rival cult, stormed the location and opened fire. The sudden attack sent the initiators fleeing for their lives, leaving Timehin behind.
A close relative of the deceased, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, recounted the devastating moment they found Timehin’s body.
He said, “Timehin said he was going to see a friend that evening. No one could stop him because he was an adult. The following morning, we received a distressing call about a lifeless body discovered in the bush near the UBA bus stop in Awoyaya. On arriving at the scene, we were heartbroken to find it was Timehin. We rushed him to the hospital in the hope that he might still be revived, but the doctors confirmed him dead on arrival.”
Another resident of the community, who also chose to remain anonymous, disclosed that the young man had sustained gunshot wounds to his neck and hand.
“We saw the bullet wounds clearly. It was only after his death that we discovered he had been taken to that location for a cult initiation. However, we are yet to receive any official confirmation from the police,” the source added.
This latest act of cult-related violence has further heightened fears in the community. It also follows a string of similar deadly incidents in Lagos.
Just days earlier, IREPORT247NEWS had reported the gruesome killing of three residents in the Ebute Metta area during clashes between rival cult groups. That violence, which occurred between Sunday and Monday, July 14, came shortly after a local footballer was reportedly murdered by cultists in the same neighborhood.
Cult War Ravages Lagos: Three Killed in Ebute Metta Bloodbath
Residents are calling on security agencies to intensify efforts to curb the growing menace of cultism and restore peace across affected communities in Lagos State.