Rising cult violence: YABATECH student killed in Lagos

Yabtech

A student of Yaba College of Technology, Sultan Balogun Owolabi, has been shot dead by suspected cultists near the institution’s premises, sparking panic in the area.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the incident occurred on Tuesday around 4pm at the WAEC Bus Stop, Ebute Metta, Lagos, as Balogun attempted to board a commercial bus.

A source who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons said three young men approached the victim and shot him at close range.

“Balogun was about to board a bus when about three young men approached him and shot him in the stomach. They immediately fled the scene and left him for dead,” the source said, adding that passersby and traders fled in fear.

Conflicting reports initially emerged over the identity of the assailants, with some alleging suspected cultists while others claimed military personnel might have been involved.

An anti-cultism platform, Confra Naija, called on Wednesday for a thorough investigation, noting that a cult group had allegedly claimed responsibility.“The Nigerian Military needs to investigate claims that some personnel may have been involved in an attack earlier claimed by the Eiye (ACN) cult group. A full and transparent investigation is necessary to determine who was responsible for the killing of Balogun Sultan, an innocent student with no cult affiliation,” the platform said.

A video circulating on X showed the victim bleeding as friends rushed him into a medical facility.

While the YABATECH spokesperson, Adekunle Adams, initially denied that the victim was a student, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed Balogun’s identity.

“The command confirms a shooting incident at WAEC Bus Stop, Ebute Metta, at about 4pm on 3rd March 2026. Two victims were rushed to the 68 Military Hospital for treatment. One of them, Balogun Sultan Owolabi, a student of Yaba College of Technology, was later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty,” Adebisi said, adding that an investigation is ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators.