Popular Lagos Hairstylist Shot Dead by Suspected Cultists

A professional hairstylist identified simply as Sebastine Timothy has been tragically killed by suspected armed robbers and cultists in the Satellite Town area of Lagos State, sending shockwaves through the local community.

According to reports, the incident occurred late Sunday night along Olasanoye Street when Timothy had just returned home from work. A police source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press, disclosed that the attackers invaded the deceased’s residence, carted away his belongings, and transferred an undisclosed sum of money from his bank account before shooting him in the head.

The assailants reportedly fled immediately after the assault, leaving neighbours terrified. Residents who heard the gunshots rushed to Timothy’s apartment, only to find him lying motionless in a pool of blood.

In a separate version of events, an online platform known as Confra Naija, which often reports on cult-related incidents, claimed that the attack was not a robbery but a targeted cult strike. The post alleged that the killers, believed to be members of the Eiye confraternity, had originally come for Timothy’s brother, who is allegedly affiliated with a rival group known as Aye. When they did not find him, they allegedly turned on Timothy instead.

“The Eiye cultists came to attack Sebastine’s brother, who is a member of Aye. When they did not find him, they turned on Sebastine, who told them his brother was not around. They forced him to unlock his phone and transfer money to them, took his phone after the transfer, and shot him in the head,” the post on X read.

The incident has sparked outrage and fear among residents, who have since called on security agencies to intensify patrols and bring the culprits to justice. Many described Timothy as a hardworking and peaceful man who had no links to any cult group.

When contacted on Wednesday, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident but gave a slightly different account. She said Timothy sustained a fatal head injury during a violent confrontation with unidentified men in the area.

“He sustained an injury to the head and died on his way to the hospital. The police cannot confirm yet if it was a gunshot wound or a machete cut. The family reported the case at the station and later took his body to the mortuary,” Adebisi stated.

As investigations continue, residents of Satellite Town remain gripped by fear, with many urging the police to ensure justice for the slain hairstylist and restore peace to the troubled community.