A man identified simply as Opeyemi has drowned in the Agility area of Mile 12, Lagos State, after he was allegedly chased and attacked by suspected cultists before jumping into a river in an attempt to escape.
The incident occurred on Saturday, September 12, 2026, according to a police source. The circumstances surrounding the man's death, however, remain contested, with different accounts emerging over what happened immediately before he entered the water.
According to the police source, Opeyemi was on his way to purchase an item when some individuals allegedly began pursuing him. The source said the men eventually caught up with him and allegedly attacked him, prompting him to jump into the river while attempting to escape.
A resident also told said that Opeyemi was chased by people suspected to be cultists and was attacked before entering the river. The resident further alleged that some people attempted to rescue him but were prevented from doing so by those who had been pursuing him.
However, an alternative account has emerged from Naija Confra, an anti-cultism advocacy platform that said it obtained different claims from residents in the area.
According to the platform, some residents claimed Opeyemi was under the influence of a substance and entered the river himself. Others who said they witnessed the incident reportedly maintained that he had been chased and attacked before jumping into the water.
The conflicting accounts make it difficult at this stage to establish exactly what triggered the incident or whether the alleged attackers directly caused Opeyemi's decision to enter the river. Those questions will require further investigation by the authorities.
The circumstances also raise concerns about the danger posed when suspected violent groups pursue individuals in densely populated communities. If the allegation that people attempting a rescue were prevented from helping is established, investigators would need to determine the identities and actions of those involved.
For now, Opeyemi's death remains under investigation, and the allegation that suspected cultists were responsible should not be treated as an established fact until supported by evidence.
The incident has also highlighted the importance of prompt intervention when violent confrontations occur around Lagos communities. Establishing a clear account of what happened before Opeyemi entered the river will be crucial to determining whether criminal offences were committed and whether anyone should face prosecution.
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