A 28-year-old furniture maker, Olanrewaju Ogunyemi, was hacked to death by suspected cultists in a brutal attack at Ilasamaja, Lagos State.
The horrific incident occurred around 7:45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21, when machete-wielding assailants stormed Abeokuta Street in what appears to be a case of mistaken identity.
Eyewitness accounts reveal the attackers were allegedly hunting for Olanrewaju’s elder brother. When they couldn’t locate him at his residence, they proceeded to the victim’s furniture workshop where he was keeping watch.
“When they got to his house and didn’t meet him, they perceived he must be in his furniture shop. On getting there, they met his younger brother who was staying there and watching over the place. Without saying a word, they brought out machetes and started cutting him. They cut his face, his back, and his hands,” a terrified resident disclosed on condition of anonymity.
Another eyewitness described the scene as horrifying, confirming Olanrewaju died instantly from the savage attack.
“It was a gory sight. Olanrewaju usually stayed in the shop whenever his brother was not around. We got to know that they were actually looking for the elder brother. The entire community is still in shock. We’ve never seen anything this violent here,” the source added.
Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the incident, stating: “Olanrewaju Ogunyemi aged 28 was killed at about 7:45 pm in his furniture shop. A gang of suspected cultists attacked him with machetes on his face, head, back and hand. He died on the spot.”
The assailants fled before authorities could arrive, leaving behind a bloodied crime scene. The victim was buried on Thursday while his brother’s whereabouts remain unknown, raising fears of possible further attacks.
