LAGOS - Rival Cultists Open Fire During Annual Igunnuko Masqueraders Festival Killing Three Residents Amid Chaos And Panic

 

Panic gripped residents of Orile Iganmu, Lagos State, as gunfire shattered the normally vibrant atmosphere of the annual Masqueraders Festival last week, leaving three people dead and several others injured. The festival, a longstanding cultural celebration centered around the towering Igunnuko masquerade, is traditionally a peaceful event designed to promote harmony and ward off misfortune.

The drama unfolded shortly after the masquerade made its customary Tuesday appearance, a moment eagerly anticipated by the community. According to eyewitness accounts, a group of youths began firing shots behind the masquerade in line with festival tradition. The celebratory sounds of gunfire quickly turned deadly, however, when a suspected cult leader and his followers deliberately aimed their weapons at rival members rather than shooting into the air.

One resident, Toyosi, described the frightening scene, revealing that three individuals lost their lives while others sustained injuries. He explained that the customary celebratory gunfire escalated into targeted attacks when members of rival factions spotted each other. “They were supposed to be firing shots behind the masquerader as it moved, but the shooting changed when some boys and their rivals sighted each other. That was when one of the suspected cultists and his boys started aiming at their rivals. Some people were also injured in the process,” he said.

Other community members expressed shock over the unexpected violence, emphasizing that the festival, celebrated yearly to ensure peace, had historically been a harmonious event. One resident remarked that the tragic incident was “very unusual because the festival has always been very peaceful,” highlighting the disruption to the community’s long-held traditions.

An anti-cultism advocacy group, Naija Confra, shared additional details via X, noting that two bodies were left at the scene while one victim was taken away. The post added that one of the alleged perpetrators, identified as a notorious Eiye cultist called Babalawo, fled the area for Ilorin in Kwara State following the attack. The organization condemned the escalation of violence, stating that both factions initially appeared to be showcasing their skills but soon turned their weapons on each other intentionally.

Authorities have not yet released an official statement, and residents remain on edge as investigations continue. The incident has raised urgent questions about security measures at cultural events, particularly those that involve traditional displays intertwined with communal gatherings. For the people of Orile Iganmu, a festival that has long symbolized peace and unity became a tragic reminder of ongoing rivalries that threaten even the most cherished cultural traditions.