Lagos: Unilorin graduate hacked to death by suspected cultists

Alabi Korede Olayemi, a fresh graduate awaiting the call up to the National Youth Service Corps, was reportedly attacked and killed by suspected cultists last Saturday.

The assailants were said to have broken into Olayemi’s apartment on Ayodele Raji Street, in the Ibeshe, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The 22-year-old rounded off his studies in History Education from the University of Ilorin in 2016, reports reveal.

He had, last Monday, taken up a job as a cashier in a sports betting centre in the area, pending the time NYSC would mobilise him.

Olayemi’s dreams were however cut short when a group of men broke into his apartment and smashed a mortar on his head. He was said to have been rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

The victim’s uncle, Kehinde Adeyanju, said members of a notorious cult group in Ikorodu known as Badoo cult are prime suspects, due to their symbolic use of mortars during operations.

“He had returned from work on Thursday and was chatting on the phone with some of his friends till the early hours of Friday, when the men entered the room,” Punch quotes Kehinde as saying.

“They had tried getting in through the sitting room, but the burglar-proof bars prevented them. They later went in through the bedroom after removing the burglar-proof bars, which probably were not strong enough.

“From what we saw, it appeared that he struggled with them before they overpowered him and smashed his skull with a mortar which they also left behind.”

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The deceased, a native of Ekiti State, was said to be the last child in a family of six children and described as easy-going.

“He was the only one in the room at that time. There were other people living in the house, because it is a six-flat building; but I am surprised that nobody heard the struggle and raised the alarm,” his brother, Olayinka said.

“I am aware that the gang also attempted to break into the landlord’s house, but they only succeeded in tearing his net; they couldn’t break the burglar-proof bars.”

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said the command had begun investigations in unraveling the case.