Tragedy struck in Lakowe community, Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State, as a skit maker identified simply as Austin was gruesomely murdered by suspected cultists in the early hours of Thursday, August 14.
Reports indicated that the assailants stormed the neighbourhood in search of the victim. Upon locating his apartment, they allegedly dragged him out and hacked him to death on the spot.
A resident, who spoke to The Punch on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the attackers went as far as cutting off Austin’s hand during the assault.
“There was some sort of commotion early Thursday morning, but no one knew what it was. It wasn’t until later in the morning that we were told someone’s corpse was lying somewhere around the community. When we got there, we discovered that it was Austin’s corpse. We also saw his hand severed. That was when we realised it was connected to the noise we heard early in the morning.”
Austin, who was known both as a professional hairstylist and a skit maker, was said to have had a premonition of his death.
“Austin was a popular hairstylist and very good at it. He was also a skit maker and had some entertainers as friends. Those close to him said he knew he was going to die due to a post on his WhatsApp status the day before,” the resident disclosed.
A video obtained by The Punch showed the lifeless body of the deceased lying in a pool of blood, with sympathisers gathered at the scene in shock.
Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, proved abortive as calls to his phone were unanswered, while a text message had yet to be replied to as of press time.
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