A student of the Yaba College of Technology, identified only as Balogun, has been shot dead by suspected cult members in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

The deceased was reportedly standing in front of the institution’s gate on Tuesday when he was shot by a yet-to-be-identified assailant.

The shooting caused panic among students, many of whom scattered in different directions as the gunmen went on a rampage.

A source around the school, who pleaded anonymity while speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, stated that the killing might have been a case of mistaken identity.

The source said: “Balogun and his friend were standing, waiting for a tricycle, when some boys invaded the area and shot him at close range.”

He added, “There are two different accounts of the incident. Some people said that one of the assailants was wearing army camouflage, while others claimed that they were members of the Eiye Confraternity. Balogun was mistaken for a member of the Aiye Confraternity, but people are saying that he was not a member of any cult group.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the killing to the Nigerian Tribune.

She added that the body of the late student had been deposited at the morgue and that an investigation into the killing is ongoing.

The police officer said, “We received a report of the killing. Investigation has commenced into the incident.” (Text, excluding headline: Nigerian Tribune)