By Onilede Titi Faith
Tragedy struck in the Alapere area of Lagos State on Thursday when a 12-year-old boy was killed by a stray bullet during a violent clash between suspected rival cult groups.
Eyewitnesses reported that the altercation erupted in the early hours of the day over a territorial dispute.
Gunshots were fired indiscriminately, and one of the bullets struck the boy, who was playing outside his family’s home. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
The incident has left residents in shock and mourning, with many condemning the growing wave of cult-related violence in the community.
Locals lamented the failure of authorities to address recurring clashes and called for increased police patrols and stricter enforcement to stem the tide of insecurity.
The Lagos State Police Command confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway to apprehend those responsible.
A spokesperson for the Command assured residents that justice will be pursued and urged the public to remain calm and assist law enforcement with any useful information.
The bereaved family has appealed for justice, calling on the government to take decisive action to prevent similar tragedies.
The boy’s death has sparked public outrage and renewed calls for urgent intervention from security agencies and community leaders to tackle the escalating menace of cultism and gun violence in Lagos neighborhoods.
