Residents of Lakowe’s Orita Adeba and Sangotedo were on edge on Saturday as suspected cult clashes left two young men brutally killed in separate suspected reprisals.

It was gathered on Sunday that the incidents were the latest in a string of cult-related clashes that have claimed several lives across Lagos State in recent weeks.

A resident of Lakowe, who pleaded anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident, said the victim was attacked with machetes and abandoned by the roadside.

According to him, the assailants also severed the victim’s right wrist and made away with it.

He said, “It is true. It happened yesterday. They left the body at Orita Adeba, opposite the Lakowe Bus Stop. We can no longer sleep at night.

“We learnt that he was killed by the Aye cult group. His wrist was totally cut off. They have been killing each other to count scores for a few weeks now.”

A short video seen by PUNCH Metro showed the deceased, dressed in brown shorts and a white vest, with dreadlocks, lying face-up in a pool of blood as residents and mourners gathered around, lamenting and taking pictures.

Another resident, identified simply as Fatai, lamented that killings had become frequent in Ibeju-Lekki.

He said, “They just started killing each other. Just three days ago, my neighbour was telling me that someone was also butchered in the same Lakowe.

“It’s over three incidents now within a short time. The boy who was killed is believed to be a cult member also. They are using their lives to count scores.”

While residents linked the Lakowe killing to cult violence, another young man was also found dead by a culvert in the Sangotedo area.

Though the motive was yet to be confirmed, a video shared by the Naija Confra Telegram page showed the victim in a white singlet and black trousers lying lifeless by the roadside.

A senior police officer who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Sunday said he would provide details of the incidents later in the evening.

However, no official response had been received as of the time this report was filed. (The PUNCH)

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