Fear has gripped residents of Ikorodu, Lagos State, after five lifeless bodies were discovered along the riverbank in the Oreta area of Igbogbo community on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.

The shocking discovery came barely a day after a man identified as Akeem, popularly known as Babu, was gruesomely killed by suspected cultists in Bayeku, also in Ikorodu. Witnesses said Babu’s killers severed his hands and legs before fleeing the scene.

The incidents are believed to be connected to the recent surge in cult-related violence across Lagos, which has already prompted the state police command to redeploy several divisional heads in a bid to curb the crisis.

However, some residents argued that Babu’s killing might not have been cult-related but linked to land disputes in the community.

A community member, who spoke anonymously, said:

“The person who died is not a known cultist. Many believe it is connected to land grabbing. They killed him and cut off his hands and legs.”

Meanwhile, locals expressed deep concern over the discovery of the five bodies in Oreta. One resident, Adeola, said police operatives were at the scene but could not confirm how the bodies got there.

“Some people are saying the river brought the bodies to the bank, but we don’t believe that. Five bodies were recovered, but the cause of death is still unknown,” Adeola explained.

The police are yet to issue an official statement, but residents are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed in Ikorodu and across Lagos.