Unidentified gunmen entered a barbing salon at Church Gate along the Badagry Expressway in Lagos state on Tuesday, July 21, and opened fire on the barber, killing him instantly. The victim, identified as Hafiz, had just finished attending to his last customer of the day and was preparing to close his shop when the attackers struck.
Three Gunmen Storm Salon at Night
According to a source familiar with the incident who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, Hafiz had wrapped up a haircut and was about to shut down for the night when three gunmen walked into the salon and shot him. The source told The Punch: "Hafiz had just finished attending to a customer when three gunmen came into the shop and attacked him. He had already planned to close for the day once he finished with the customer's hair before the incident happened. He was shot, and the assailants fled immediately."
Victim Pronounced Dead at Hospital
After the attack, Hafiz was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. The assailants escaped and remain unidentified, with no arrests reported as of this writing.
Anti-Cultism Platform Confirms Killing
Anti-cultism platform Naija Confra confirmed the killing in a post on Sunday, July 26, stating that Hafiz was shot twice in the head inside his shop. The gunmen arrived around 10 pm and fled after the attack. The platform posted: "At this time, the motive behind his death is unclear, as the attackers are still unknown."
Peaceful Area Shocked by Violence
Residents in the Church Gate area told Naija Confra that the neighbourhood had been very peaceful and that there were no known conflicts among cult groups there. They said this was the first time such a tragic incident had occurred in their area and that they did not know whether the matter was business-related or cult-related. Locals expressed shock and confusion over the attack, which has shattered the calm of the community.
Police Yet to Issue Statement
The Lagos State Police Command spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, did not respond to calls or text messages from the press. As of the time of this report, no official comment has been received from the police regarding the incident. The absence of a police statement has left residents seeking answers and demanding swift action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
No History of Cult Violence in Area
Investigations by Naija Confra revealed that the area had no prior history of cult violence, and the motive behind the shooting remains a mystery. The platform called on the public to provide any information that could help identify the attackers. The killing has raised questions about security in Lagos, even in previously peaceful neighbourhoods.
