Panic erupted in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Saturday after unidentified gunmen invaded a military barracks and fatally shot a butcher identified only as Ridwan.
The incident reportedly occurred around 8 a.m. at the Mammy Market section of the barracks, where the attackers — about four in number — stormed the busy area and fired several gunshots into the air, causing widespread chaos as traders and customers fled for safety.
Witnesses said the armed men moved directly to Ridwan’s stall and shot him multiple times before escaping.
One of the traders, identified as Mummy Blessing, recounted the terrifying moment.
“We were just opening for business when we heard gunshots. Everyone left what they were doing and ran away. Before we knew it, the men who were wearing masks went straight to where Ridwan was selling meat, shot him, and fled. When we all came back, we saw him in a pool of blood.”
When PUNCH Metro visited the scene on Sunday, Ridwan’s stall—located near a corner of the market—remained empty as surrounding traders tried to carry on with business.
Another eyewitness, Musa, said the butcher’s location made it difficult for him to escape.
“The men were very close to Ridwan’s stall when they started firing gunshots. So while everyone ran away, Ridwan could not find an escape route. That was how they successfully killed him,” Musa disclosed.
Attempts to save Ridwan’s life reportedly failed after he was rejected at the barracks’ medical facility.
“He was quickly carried into a tricycle and rushed to the barracks clinic, but when they got there, he was rejected and referred somewhere else. It was later in the day that we learnt he had died,” another trader, who requested anonymity, said.
Residents suspect the attack may have been carried out by cultists. The deceased has since been buried according to Islamic rites.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, said she had not received any official report about the case.
“I am not aware, and no such incident has been reported at the Onireke Police Station, which falls under the jurisdiction. However, the CP has tasked the tactical squad on continuous patrol and also added more officers in his determination to stamp out cultism and related crimes across the state,” she said.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the 81 Division of the Army, Olabisi Ayeni, were unsuccessful as calls went unanswered, and text messages had not been replied to as of press time.
This attack comes weeks after gunmen killed four people and injured a 14-year-old boy in a shooting near another military barracks in the same Ojo area. The repeat violence has heightened fears among residents, who are now urging authorities to strengthen security within and around the barracks to prevent further attacks.