Five killed, eight injured as armed youths attack Lagos waterfront community

Residents of the Sogunro community in Lagos State are grappling with fear following an alleged attack by armed youths from the neighboring Iwaya community, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injuries to eight others.

The Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Landgrabbing and Displacement in Lagos State issued a statement on Friday, calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the violence. According to the coalition, the incident occurred around midnight between November 1 and 2, sparked by a demand from Iwaya youths for financial contributions for a party, which Sogunro residents reportedly refused.

Witnesses claim that the attackers entered Sogunro armed with firearms, axes, and other lethal weapons. They allege that the assailants used various means to inflict harm, including gunfire and bludgeoning. One victim was reportedly struck in the neck with an axe, and there are accounts of at least one body being discarded in a canal.

The coalition further alleged that the attackers devastatingly looted and vandalized property during the incursion. Expressing concern over the incident, the group criticized the lack of arrests made in the aftermath of the attack, given the fatalities and destruction that occurred.

The attack has left many in Sogunro anxious, with some residents near the community’s border feeling compelled to abandon their homes. Displaced individuals are reportedly seeking refuge on boats or in the homes of neighbors along the waterfront to avoid potential further assaults.

The coalition has urged law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation, apprehend those involved, and ensure their prosecution, while also demanding enhanced security measures to avert future violence.

As of the time of this report, efforts to obtain a response from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful. Spokesperson Abimbola Adebisi had not replied to inquiries regarding the incident.

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