Tricycle Driver Murdered By Cultist In Lagos

A tricycle operator has been killed in Lagos by suspected cultist in what is seen as a case of mistaken identity.

A 25-year-old tricycle driver, Debo Oturu, fell victim to some mindless hoodlums suspected to be cultists in Mushin area of Lagos State as he was murdered while on his way to visit his mother.

The incident which happened on Lawani Street in the area, according to residents, must have been a case of mistaken identity as the young man did not live in the area and only came once in a while to visit his mum.

Reports have it that the indigene of Ose local government area, Ondo State, was shot several times by the cultists who must have mistaken him for a rival.

An eyewitness, Bolaji Kosoko, who also sustained gunshot injuries in the rampage, said a member of the gang pursued him for raising the alarm when they were shooting the tricycle driver.

"It was at about 10 pm on Friday, (May 15). I was discussing with my friend and also preparing to take dinner when I heard a gunshot.

I shouted, ‘which bastard is that?’ Then the gunshots increased. One of the gunmen ran after me. He shot me in the back and leg. I don’t know how I survived it; I could have died."

Kosoko said some of his friends assisted him to a place where he received treatment, while the tricyclist died on the spot.

His sister, Alaba Laitan, narrated the circumstances that led to her brother's dead:

"When he came, he told me he was hungry, that I should prepare food for him. I was preparing the food when he said he wanted to buy sachet water, adding that he would take the food along with him to Oyingbo.

All of us were at the backyard when those boys entered the house. They shot him in the buttocks, head and leg. His body was riddled with bullets."