How a Stray Bullet Killed 12-Year-Old During Cult Clash in Lagos

A 12-year-old boy identified simply as Wasiu has tragically lost his life after being struck by a stray bullet during a violent cult clash in the Olosha area of Mushin, Lagos State, on Wednesday night.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred around 8 pm, when rival cult groups clashed, causing widespread panic across the community. Wasiu had reportedly gone to buy food from a local food vendor, popularly known as Iya Ibeji, when the gunfire erupted.

According to a resident, Tale Amoo, chaos broke out as residents and traders fled for safety. Wasiu, caught in the middle of the crossfire while attempting to seek refuge, was hit by a stray bullet.

“We started hearing gunshots around 8 pm. People ran into their homes and shops were immediately shut. Wasiu was just waiting to buy food when the bullet struck him,” Amoo told our correspondent.

Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, said Wasiu’s body was only discovered after calm returned to the area. Attempts to save him by rushing him to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) failed, as the hospital’s gates were shut amid the chaos.

“People tried to take him to LUTH, but they couldn’t get through the main gate. They also couldn’t access the alternate entrance because cultists had taken over the area,” the resident said.

Residents reported that the community had been under siege by suspected cultists for days, and Wednesday’s attack was just the latest in a string of violent outbreaks. According to another eyewitness, gunfire rang out for hours, and the Mushin community—particularly around LUTH—was thrown into a state of terror.

Reacting to the incident, Vice Chairman of Mushin Local Government, Tubosun Aruwe, condemned the attack, calling it a “senseless and heartbreaking tragedy.” He described the death of Wasiu—and others lost to similar violence—as a devastating blow to the community.

“The loss of the innocent life of a 10-year-old child is a tragedy that strikes at the very heart of our humanity,” Aruwe said in a statement issued on Thursday.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased and expressed solidarity with past victims of cult violence, pledging to support them in the pursuit of justice.

“My heart goes out to all the victims’ families. I stand with them as we seek justice for these senseless killings,” he added.

Aruwe also called on security agencies to investigate the incident thoroughly and ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted without delay.

Efforts to confirm the incident from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful, as calls and WhatsApp messages to the command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, were not responded to as of press time.