By Praise Afolabi
The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the discovery of five lifeless bodies along the Oreta riverbank in Igbogbo, Ikorodu Local Government Area, linking the killings to suspected cult-related violence.
Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, who briefed journalists on the incident, said investigations have already begun to unravel the circumstances surrounding the deaths. He assured residents that new security measures were being deployed across Ikorodu and other flashpoints in Lagos to forestall further bloodshed.
“The bodies were recovered and our scene-of-crime experts have already carried out preliminary checks,” Jimoh stated. “I have received their report and issued further directives. Once the investigation is concluded, the outcome will be made public.”
The mutilated remains of the young men, discovered by locals on Wednesday morning, have sent shockwaves through the community. Eyewitnesses said one victim was found facedown in a blue hoodie, while another, dressed in a black-and-white shirt, lay motionless with visible bloodstains. The grim scene sparked fresh concerns over rising cult violence in the area, with residents calling for tighter security and increased vigilance.
Jimoh explained that the command has stepped up its anti-cultism operations, creating dedicated squads in all area commands alongside a central unit at the state headquarters. He, however, stressed that tackling cultism requires more than policing.
“This is not just a police fight,” he warned. “Parents and guardians must counsel their children to shun cultism, because most of these killings stem from attacks and reprisals.”
According to the police chief, cult-related incidents have spiked across Lagos in recent months, with more than 26 suspects already arrested in connection with violent clashes.
While assuring that perpetrators of the Ikorodu killings would be tracked down and prosecuted, Jimoh urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information.
The tragic discovery has once again highlighted the growing menace of cultism in Lagos communities, where violent clashes have continued to claim lives and spread fear among residents.
