Residents of Oke Egan in the Ilogbo-Eremi area of Badagry, Lagos State, have been thrown into mourning after the body of an elderly woman was discovered in a bush under disturbing circumstances.
The deceased, identified as Victoria Adegoke, was reportedly found lifeless in the early hours of Friday, with residents suspecting that she may have been attacked and killed by unidentified assailants.
Community sources disclosed on Sunday that the woman, believed to be in her late 60s, was found unclothed, with visible marks on her body suggesting possible violence before her death.
According to residents, passersby stumbled upon the corpse around 6:10 a.m. and immediately alerted officers at the Ilogbo-Eremi Police Post.
A community leader, who spoke anonymously because of the sensitive nature of the incident, said the deceased had attended a programme at The Joy of Christ Ministry, popularly known as Ayo Jesu Church, shortly before the tragedy occurred.
The source explained that Adegoke had remained around the church premises for several days due to activities linked to the programme before she later moved to stay with a relative living nearby.
“She was well known in the community. Her daughter lives abroad.
After the church activities, she stayed with a relative close to the church,” the source said.
“It was while she was reportedly heading home very early in the morning that the incident happened.”
Residents alleged that the attackers stripped the woman of her clothes and allegedly strangled her before dumping her body in the bush.
Although her mobile phone was said to be missing, some personal belongings, including her ATM card and Bible, were reportedly recovered at the scene.
Another resident, identified simply as Adeola, described the killing as horrifying, noting that the victim was an elderly grandmother who should not have suffered such brutality.
“She should be around 65 to 68 years old. People passing by saw her body and informed the police.
Everyone in the area has been deeply disturbed by the incident,” the resident said.
Some residents also expressed hope that the stolen mobile phone could assist security operatives in tracing those behind the crime.
A separate source within the community stated that the area, located near the Lagos-Ogun boundary, had witnessed repeated cases of violent attacks over the years.
According to the resident, the latest incident would make it about the fourth violent case recorded in the community in recent times.
“The area has become notorious for criminal activities, especially at odd hours. Residents are usually advised to be vigilant whenever they move around very early or late at night,” the source added.
The source further noted that the condition in which the deceased was found raised suspicions of possible sexual assault before her death.
“She was found unclothed, and her underwear was missing. Many people suspected she may have been raped before she was killed. It was after the police arrived that her body was covered,” the resident said.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Lagos State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command’s spokesperson, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, did not respond to calls or messages sent to her telephone line as of the time of filing this report.