Lagos Community Mourns as Cultists Kill Young Hairstylist
Fear and confusion have gripped Satellite Town, a prominent community in Nigeria's economic capital, Lagos, following the brutal killing of a young Nigerian hairstylist by suspected cult members. The incident has left residents in tears and raised concerns about escalating cult-related violence in the state.
Details of the Tragic Incident
Sebastine Timothy, a professional hairstylist, was killed on Sunday, November 9, 2024, in the Olasanoye Street area of Satellite Town. According to police sources, the attackers not only robbed him of his personal belongings but also forcibly transferred money from his bank account before shooting him in the head.
The incident was initially reported by The Punch newspaper on Thursday, November 13, bringing the tragic news to public attention. Meanwhile, Confra Naija, a platform known for exposing cult activities, provided a separate account through a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, November 10, linking the killing directly to suspected cult violence.
In a disturbing revelation, the platform indicated that the attackers had originally planned to target Timothy's brother before ultimately deciding to kill the young hairstylist instead.
Community Reaction and Police Response
The Lagos State Police Command has officially confirmed Timothy's death, acknowledging the severity of the attack. The confirmation comes as community members express their grief and outrage over the senseless killing.
Glory Hope, a Facebook user who knew the victim, mourned Timothy in an emotional post, describing him as "very hard-working" and "very good barber." She expressed deep sadness, writing: "Why did this happen to you, na? I feel so sad since I heard the news. RIP guy."
Violent cult attacks remain a serious security challenge in Lagos State, with gangs frequently engaging in violence and various criminal activities that threaten public safety.
The Growing Menace of Cultism in Nigeria
Cultism has evolved into a critical national security threat across Nigeria, with hardly a week passing without reports of killings or arrests related to clashes between rival cult groups. This growing menace has escalated violence, leading to frequent fatalities and injuries that affect not only cult members but also innocent citizens caught in the crossfire.
Statistics reveal the alarming scale of this problem: between 2006 and 2021, approximately 5,822 deaths were recorded across 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory due to cult-related violence. Southern states have been disproportionately affected, with Rivers, Edo, Delta, Lagos, and Nasarawa states experiencing the highest number of fatalities.
Cult groups engage in various criminal activities including:
- Murder and intimidation
- Kidnapping for ransom
- Political thuggery during elections
- Armed robbery and extortion
In a related development, the Rivers State Police Command recently neutralized Izuma David Odiereke, also known as "Solution," a notorious cult leader operating in Owube kingdom, Ahoada West Local Government Area. Odiereke, who led the Greenland cult group and had been on the police wanted list since 2016, was killed in a gun duel with law enforcement officers in a forest within the council area.
The killing of Sebastine Timothy serves as another tragic reminder of the urgent need for enhanced security measures and community interventions to address the cultism epidemic threatening Nigerian communities.
