Four people have been hospitalised following a violent clash involving suspected rival cult groups during an Isese Day celebration in the Ewu area of Oshodi, Lagos State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday while the traditional festival was underway in the community, throwing residents and other attendees into panic.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the event had initially proceeded peacefully before an argument between members of two suspected rival groups escalated into a fight.
According to the source, what began as a minor disagreement quickly turned violent as the groups allegedly engaged one another.
Another resident said the situation worsened when some of the suspected cultists reportedly brought out dangerous weapons.
He said four people sustained injuries during the confrontation, including one person who was allegedly stabbed in the face.
The injured persons were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
The clash reportedly caused panic in the area, with residents and passersby said to have fled the scene for safety.
Meanwhile, an anti-cultism platform, Naija Confra, alleged that members of the Eiye confraternity were involved in the confrontation.
In a post seen by our correspondent on Saturday, the platform claimed that the incident involved suspected Eiye members from Mafoluku and Ewu.
According to the platform, the trouble reportedly began after some Eiye members from Mafoluku attended the Isese festival in Ewu, where an issue allegedly arose between members of the same group from the two areas.
The disagreement was said to have escalated into a violent confrontation, leaving several people seriously injured.
The platform also claimed to have obtained a video showing a man allegedly from Ewu with severe facial injuries, although his current condition could not be immediately established.
The exact cause of the confrontation remained unclear as of the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Lagos State Police Command to the incident were ongoing as of press time.