Two suspected cultists, identified simply as Monday and Efe, have been shot dead in a fresh wave of cult-related violence in the Ojo area of Lagos State.

PUNCH Metro gathered that the killings occurred on Sunday at different locations within the community.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, said the victims were discovered with gunshot wounds.

“Two bodies were found in the community on Sunday with gunshot injuries. We later learnt that the killings were carried out by suspected cultists in what appeared to be a reprisal attack by rival groups. The police subsequently evacuated the bodies,” the source said.

An anti-cultism platform, Confra Naija, alleged in a post on X that one of the victims, Monday, was a former chairman of the Neo Black Movement in Alaba International Market, and was also described by some as a long-time leader of the Aye confraternity in the area.

The platform claimed that Monday had been a target for some time and that a close associate of his, also said to be a former Aye leader, was killed in March last year.

Confra Naija further alleged that the second victim, Efe, was another NBM leader in Ojo, though he was said not to be a regular presence in the area.

According to the platform, Efe was reportedly attacked while outside charging his phone during a power outage. The post alleged that suspected members of a rival group accosted and killed him.

In a video seen by PUNCH Metro, one of the victims was lying in what appeared to be an electronics shop, while gunshots were heard. Another clip showed a man lying motionless with visible gunshot wounds.

Reacting to the incident on X, a user, Roland Inuedo, expressed concern over the spate of violence in Ojo and surrounding areas.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had yet to officially confirm the incident. Calls and a text message sent to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, were not responded to.

Cult-related violence has persisted in parts of Lagos despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to curb the menace.

In September 2025, PUNCH Metro reported that residents of Orita Adeba in Lakowe and Sangotedo were thrown into panic after suspected cult clashes left two young men dead in separate reprisal attacks.

The Department of State Services has arrested a 26-year-old man, Udeme Stephen, for allegedly claiming responsibility for the recent attack on the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Stephen was apprehended following a threat he posted on his X account, @stevetom788, shortly after armed men fired gunshots at the African Democratic Congress secretariat and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun’s residence in Benin, Edo State.

Present at the event were Obi, Odigie-Oyegun, former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, Olumide Akpata and some ADC leaders.

In his post, Stephen claimed responsibility for the incident and issued further threats against Obi.

He wrote that Obi was fortunate to have survived the Benin attack and warned that he would not be “that lucky next time,” alleging that his associates would target the former presidential candidate during a planned visit to Rivers State.

“We warned Obi against his entrance into Edo State, but he mistook our resolve for his Obidiots online noise.

“Thank his stars he (Obi) survived this one… I learnt he’s going to my Rivers State… Na my men go handle that one and dem no dey miss target…

“Speak no peace to a bastard and wish him no long life, for he’s destined to die,” Udeme posted.

Speaking on Monday, a top security source disclosed that the DSS immediately launched a covert investigation after the threat was issued.

The source added that operatives deployed forensic analysis to track the suspect.

He identified Stephen as a teacher at Jessica High School in Eliozu, located in the Umuehere Community of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“No sooner had Stephen issued the threat than DSS operatives began a covert investigation, deploying forensic analysis to track and arrest him.

“The suspect is 26 years old, called Udeme Monday Stephen, and teaches at Jessica High School in Eliozu, Rivers State, at Umuehere Community, in Obio-Akpor LGA of the state.

“I strongly believe that the outcome of the agency’s forensic investigations implicated the suspect.

“Stephen is currently in custody and will soon be charged in court,” the statement said.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

A 40-year-old Nigerian, Leslie Mba, has been sentenced to 19 years in a United States federal prison for his role in a $4m romance scam and business email compromise scheme.

Mba, who is not a U.S. citizen, is also expected to face deportation proceedings upon completion of his prison term.

The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge David Hittner, who ordered Mba to serve 228 months in prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to make false statements in immigration documents.

The conviction was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.

According to prosecutors, between April 2018 and December 2023, Mba and his accomplices operated a transnational fraud scheme that targeted individuals and businesses through romance scams and compromised business email accounts.

Investigators said members of the syndicate initially gained unauthorised access to business email accounts overseas and diverted legitimate payments into bank accounts under their control in the United States.

“Victims believed they were sending money to legitimate businesses, but Mba and others instead funnelled the funds to accounts they controlled,” the statement noted.

Prosecutors said Mba acted as a money mule, opening or using existing bank accounts to receive and transfer fraudulent proceeds. The court heard that the scheme resulted in losses exceeding $4m.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas Ganjei described the crimes as particularly disturbing, especially the romance scams that preyed on vulnerable victims.

“Romance scams are among the lowest and most despicable forms of fraud because they prey upon the lonely and vulnerable, and disproportionately victimise senior citizens,” Ganjei said.

“Even worse, Mba and his confederates committed these crimes while attempting to remain in our country under false pretences by deceiving immigration authorities. Now, Mba has prison to look forward to, followed by a one-way ticket back to Nigeria,” he added.

FBI Houston Special Agent in Charge, Jason Hudson, also condemned the scheme, saying the suspects weaponised romance scams to manipulate and financially devastate their victims.

“Romance scams cruelly manipulate trust, exploit the fear of loneliness and leave victims both financially devastated and emotionally shattered,” Hudson said, adding that the agency would continue to pursue fraudsters.

Investigators further revealed that Mba attempted to secure U.S. permanent residency through multiple fraudulent marriages after his initial application was denied and he was ordered removed from the country.

Four other Houston residents — Grace Morisho, Rodgers Kadikilo, Kristin Smith and Alexandra Golovko — had earlier pleaded guilty in connection with the case. Morisho, Kadikilo and Smith were sentenced to between 15 and 25 months’ imprisonment, while Golovko received five years’ probation.

Mba remains in custody pending transfer to a facility to be designated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

punch.ng

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM