Undergraduate, tricycle operator, three others killed in cult war

LAGOS — At least five persons, among them, a final year Nigerian student who schools at the North American University Houdegbe, in Benin Republic, have been killed in a renewed cult war in Mushin area of Lagos.

The supremacy tussle also claimed the life of Chairman of Keke NAPEP operators in Ojuelegba, weekend, following the latter’s reported intervention during the fight which led to the undergraduate’s death.

Late Adeolu Otenaike.

It was gathered that the student identified as Adeolu Otenaike, 26, left Benin Republic on March 18, 2013 to celebrate the purchase of a car with his friends, in the company of five other students.

Eye witnesses said the party was held atArena, a club located on 39, Jibowu Street, said to be the headquarters and meeting point for suspected members of Black Axe Confraternity.

But trouble, as gathered, started after Adeolu was reportedly accosted by one Taiye, a suspected cultist and members of his gang, while seeing some of his friends off, at about 11.50p.m.

He was reportedly beaten and dragged to Empire area where Chairman of the tri-cycle operators, Lekan Lawal, reportedly intervened by telling the assailants not to kill Adeolu in his domain.

It was gathered that Adeolu was dragged away from the area and reportedly shot in the head and neck. One of his friends simply identified as Chinedu who managed to escape, reportedly sustained injuries.

It was gathered that same day, four other persons whose identities were given simply as Martins, Olosa, Fadeyi and Adeyemi were killed at different spots also in Mushin.

In an apparent move to conceal their identities, the assailants reportedly killed Lawal at Ibidun Street at about 9.30p.m, Saturday.

Residents of the area, who are currently living in fear, confirmed that the area was calm before the cult war.

For instance, a resident disclosed that last Monday, the cultists went on shooting spree around the area, when two persons were hit by stray bullets while sleeping in their shops.

Police sources confirmed that investigation had begun with a view to arresting the suspected cultists. It was gathered that some members of the confraternity had fled the area following police investigation.