A professional hairstylist, identified simply as Sebastine Timothy, has been shot dead by suspected armed robbers in the Satellite Town area of Lagos State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday night along Olasanoye Street, shortly after the victim returned home from work.
According to police sources, the assailants invaded Timothy’s apartment, dispossessed him of his belongings, and transferred an undisclosed sum of money from his bank account before shooting him in the head.
“A complaint was made to the police on Monday morning that he was attacked in his apartment after returning home from work on Sunday night.
The robbers took his valuables, forced him to transfer money to them, and shot him in the head before fleeing,” a police source told PUNCH Metro in confidence.
Neighbours who reportedly heard the sound of gunfire discovered his lifeless body moments later.
However, a social media platform known as Confra Naija, which tracks cult-related violence, alleged that the incident was connected to a gang rivalry. According to the platform, members of the Eiye confraternity had allegedly targeted the victim’s brother, a suspected member of the rival Aye cult group, but attacked Timothy when they did not find their target.
“They forced him to unlock his phone, made him transfer money to them, and later shot him in the head,” the post claimed.
Friends and acquaintances have since taken to social media to mourn the deceased.
One Facebook user, identified as Glory Hope, described him as hardworking, saying, “Very hardworking guy, why did this happen to you, na? Very good barber, chai. I feel so sad since I heard the news. RIP guy.”
Reacting to the incident, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the deceased sustained a fatal head injury during a fight with some unidentified men.
“He sustained an injury to the head and died on his way to the hospital. The police cannot yet confirm whether it was a gunshot or machete injury.
The family reported the incident and later took his corpse to the mortuary,” Adebisi said.
The incident adds to growing concerns over recurring cult-related and robbery attacks in Lagos.
In October, PUNCH Metro reported how two teenagers were shot dead by armed robbers inside a barbershop in the Cele Nica area of Ojo Local Government.
Residents have since urged the police to intensify patrols and strengthen community security to stem the rising tide of violence in the area.