Tragedy struck in the Lakowe community of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Lagos State, after a skit maker and professional hairstylist, identified simply as Austin, was gruesomely murdered by suspected cultists.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday, August 14, when the assailants reportedly stormed the area in search of the victim. According to eyewitness accounts, the attackers forcefully dragged Austin out of his apartment before hacking him to death with machetes.
Residents said the assailants also severed one of his hands during the attack.
“There was some commotion early that morning, but we couldn’t figure out what was happening,” a resident who pleaded anonymity for security reasons told our correspondent. “Later in the day, we saw a body lying in the community. When we got closer, we realised it was Austin, and one of his hands had been cut off.”
Friends and acquaintances described the deceased as a talented hairstylist and skit maker who had built close ties with entertainers. Some claimed he had a premonition of his death, pointing to a cryptic message he allegedly posted on his WhatsApp status a day earlier.
“Austin was very popular here, both as a hairstylist and content creator,” another resident said. “From what we heard, he posted something like a farewell message the day before, as if he knew what was coming.”
A video obtained by our correspondent showed his lifeless body lying in a pool of blood, surrounded by sympathisers.
As of press time, efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful.