Daredevil gunmen stormed a snooker spot near a military barracks in Ojo, Lagos, on Sunday evening, October 5, 2025, killing at least four people and leaving the community gripped by fear. The brazen assault, which occurred around 8:00 PM WAT in the densely populated Alaba area, has heightened security concerns in Nigeria’s commercial capital, with residents questioning the effectiveness of local patrols despite the proximity to a military installation.

 

Details of the Attack

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as a group of four to six armed assailants, riding motorcycles and wielding AK-47 rifles, opened fire indiscriminately at the popular snooker joint, a local hangout frequented by youths and traders. The victims, identified as Chukwudi Okoro (28), a mechanic; Tunde Adebayo (32), a trader; and two unidentified others in their 20s, were shot at close range while playing or watching the game. The attackers fled the scene before reinforcements arrived, carting away mobile phones and cash from bystanders.

Local sources said the gunmen targeted the spot over a suspected cult-related dispute, though police have not confirmed motives. “They came out of nowhere, shooting wildly. People ran for cover, but it was too late for some,” recounted a survivor who escaped with minor injuries. The bodies were evacuated to a nearby morgue, and the area was cordoned off as bloodstains marked the concrete floor well into Monday morning.

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This incident echoes a similar killing in Iyana Isashi, Ojo Local Government Area, on October 1, 2025, where gunmen shot a man named Alex dead in retaliation for a nightclub altercation.

That attack, which left residents on edge, underscores a pattern of escalating violence in Ojo, a bustling suburb known for its markets and proximity to the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

 

Security Response and Community Outrage

The Lagos State Police Command swiftly deployed tactical teams from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Anti-Cultism Unit to the scene, with Commissioner of Police Adekunle Ajisebutu confirming the deaths and vowing a manhunt for the perpetrators. “We have commenced a full-scale investigation, and operatives are combing the area for leads. The command will not tolerate such acts of brigandage,” Ajisebutu stated in a press release on October 6, 2025.

Military personnel from the nearby barracks, including the 65th Infantry Battalion, assisted in securing the perimeter, but critics questioned why the attack occurred so close to their base. “How do gunmen operate freely near a barracks? This is a failure of intelligence,” fumed community leader Chief Olusegun Adeyemi, who organized an emergency meeting of local vigilantes.

Social media erupted with outrage, as videos of the aftermath—showing frantic crowds and abandoned snooker cues—circulated widely. Users on X (formerly Twitter) decried the rising insecurity in Lagos, with #OjoAttack trending and calls for state government intervention. One post from @LagosHustler read: “Ojo no safe again. Gunmen killing near barracks? Na who we go trust?” while @NaijaSecurityWatch demanded, “Where is the Governor? Time for action, not promises.”

No arrests have been made as of 10:00 AM WAT on October 6, but police sources hint at leads pointing to rival cult groups from Alaba International Market.

 

Broader Context of Violence in Lagos

Ojo, home to over 500,000 residents and a hub for informal trading, has seen a spike in cult clashes and robberies in 2025, fueled by economic hardships and youth unemployment. This attack follows a wave of incidents across Nigeria, including gunmen killing 17 soldiers in northern bases in June 2025 and over 100 in Benue State in mid-year assaults.

Amnesty International has warned of an “endless cycle of bloodshed” in urban and rural areas, attributing it to impunity and weak security architecture.

 

Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who recently defended state demolitions at the nearby Trade Fair Complex, has yet to comment specifically on this incident but reiterated in a general security briefing that his administration is enhancing patrols through the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps.

 

Why This Matters

The killing near a military barracks exposes vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s security framework, where even protected zones are not immune to armed incursions. With Lagos contributing over 30% of national GDP, such violence threatens economic stability and investor confidence, particularly in Ojo’s markets that support thousands of livelihoods.

 

The gunmen attack near Ojo barracks on October 5, 2025, that claimed four lives has plunged the community into mourning and heightened alert, demanding urgent action from authorities. As investigations unfold, residents brace for reprisals, while the nation watches for a decisive response to curb Lagos’s growing lawlessness. Families of the deceased call for justice, echoing a broader cry: Enough is enough.