Samuel Omang
Tragedy struck in the Mushin area of Lagos State on Wednesday evening as a 12-year-old boy, simply identified as Wasiu, lost his life after being hit by a stray bullet during a violent cult clash.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. in the Olosha community when rival cult groups reportedly engaged in a fierce gun battle, causing widespread panic and forcing residents to flee for safety.
According to eyewitnesses, Wasiu had stepped out to buy food from a local vendor popularly known as Iya Ibeji when the shooting began. In the chaos that ensued, the boy was caught in the crossfire as he attempted to run to safety.
“We started hearing gunshots around 8 p.m., and people started running into their homes. Shop owners quickly closed for the day,” a resident told The Journal Nigeria. “Wasiu was waiting to buy food when he was hit by a stray bullet while trying to escape.”
Another resident, who asked not to be named, said the boy’s lifeless body was discovered after calm returned to the area. Efforts to take him to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) were unsuccessful, as the facility’s gate was shut at the time.
“The whole community was tense. Nobody even realised he had been shot until later. When some residents eventually found him and tried to get him to LUTH, they were denied entry. They also couldn’t reach the other gate due to the presence of cultists along the route,” the resident explained.
The incident comes amid heightened fear and insecurity in the Mushin area, which has been plagued by recurring cult violence in recent days.
Another eyewitness said the gun battle had lasted for hours. “Gunshots had been ringing out even before 8 p.m., and it went on for quite some time. The area around LUTH was under siege,” he said.
Reacting to the killing, the Vice Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Hon. Tubosun Aruwe, condemned the incident in strong terms, describing it as senseless and heartbreaking.
“I am deeply saddened and utterly appalled by the violent attack that occurred in the Olosha area. The loss of an innocent 10-year-old child is a devastating tragedy that pierces the heart of our shared humanity,” Aruwe said in a statement on Thursday — though the boy’s age was earlier reported as 12.
He extended his condolences to the bereaved family and other victims of similar attacks, promising to support efforts to ensure justice.
“My heart goes out to the families affected by this mindless violence. I stand with them during this difficult time and will support every effort to seek justice for the victims,” he said.
Aruwe also called on the police and other relevant security agencies to launch an immediate investigation into the attack and apprehend the culprits without delay.
However, as of press time, attempts to reach the Lagos State Police Command for confirmation or comments on the incident proved unsuccessful. Calls and messages to the state police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unanswered.
The Mushin community remains in mourning as residents call for urgent government intervention to end the recurring violence and ensure the safety of lives and property.