The Ijegun Egba community in Ori Ade Local Government Area of Lagos State was thrown into chaos as gunmen stormed the area, leaving two people dead and several others injured.

The victims have been identified as Gbenga Areagbo, a 40-year-old man who lived with sickle cell disease, and Oladapo Olukoya. In a shocking turn of events, the assailants reportedly fled with their bodies.

Residents, now gripped with fear, said the attackers came from across the riverine area. Witnesses recounted how thugs stormed the Ijegun Egba jetty, robbing people of their valuables and cash.

A resident, Kudus Fadiku, alleged that the assailants were from Ibasa. He recalled a prior attack on Wasiu Ademola, a local, last Thursday. “They attacked Wasiu, inflicting serious injuries on him. They attempted to abduct him via the river, but he managed to convince them that he was not from our community,” Fadiku said.

Another resident, identified as Kazeem, revealed that the matter was reported to the Satellite Town Police Division. However, just three days after the attack on Wasiu, armed men returned to Zone 2 in the community. “They were identifying locals from the crowd, assisted by an informant. When they couldn’t find their intended targets, they resorted to robbing both residents and passersby,” he explained.

Community leader Saeed Ayinde confirmed that the killings had also been reported to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Alagbon, Lagos.

Recounting the harrowing incident, he said, “The hoodlums arrived in three vehicles and motorcycles, armed with guns and cutlasses. I was sitting with Lateef Arowolo at Ade Oshodi Junction when they stormed the area. They asked a young man if he was Lateef. When he shook his head, they shot him at close range and attacked him with axes. Afterward, they took the bodies away through the jetty.”

Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack, with the case adjourned until March 26, 2025, for further proceedings.