Panic gripped the Iyana Isashi community in the Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State on Friday after a young man, identified simply as Alex, was shot by suspected gunmen. The incident, which occurred around Cele Niza in the area, has left residents in fear and raised further concerns over the rising wave of insecurity along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway corridor.
A resident of the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, made mention that Alex had just returned from work that evening before stepping out again to meet a friend. However, on his way, he was accosted by two men on a motorcycle.
The eyewitness said one of the assailants suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Alex at close range.
“Alex had barely gotten home from work when he stepped out again, probably to see a friend. He was on his way when two men riding a motorcycle stopped him. Suddenly, one of them pulled out a gun and shot him. The gunshot drew the attention of residents, who rushed to the scene only to find him lying in a pool of blood. The gunmen sped off immediately on their bike,” the resident narrated.
Alex, who was popularly known in the neighborhood as Fleximore, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors battled to save his life. He was placed on emergency treatment but slipped into a coma. Sadly, despite efforts by medical personnel, he succumbed to the injuries on Wednesday morning.
Another resident confirmed the development, saying, “We lost him this morning. He had been in a coma since Friday, and the doctors tried all they could, but he didn’t survive.”
Investigations by justnewsline revealed that Alex had been involved in a heated altercation at a nightclub in the community just a day before the attack. Sources claimed the fight, which began as an argument, later escalated into a physical confrontation with some unidentified men.
A friend of the deceased, who identified himself only as Quadri, said many in the area believed the nightclub incident might have triggered the shooting.
“Some of his friends who were at the club with him said he got into a serious fight with some guys. It was unusual because Alex was not the type to cause trouble. He was an easy-going and peaceful person. That is why people suspect that what happened at the club may have been connected to his attack,” Quadri explained.
As news of his death spread, preparations began within the community to bury the victim, with friends and relatives expressing shock over the circumstances surrounding his killing.
When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she had not yet received details of the case but promised to confirm the incident with the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area.
Meanwhile, residents of Iyana Isashi and adjoining communities have renewed calls for greater police presence, noting that the area has been plagued by frequent cult clashes and violent attacks in recent months.
In August, a similar case where unidentified assailants shot a passenger inside a commercial bus along the Lagos–Badagry Expressway. The victim, who had boarded the bus from Agbara and was heading towards Okoafo, was attacked when gunmen on a motorcycle pulled up beside the vehicle and opened fire.
The recurring violence has heightened tension across communities along the expressway, with many locals now living in fear of random attacks. Residents are urging security agencies to step up patrols and restore confidence in public safety.
For many, the killing of Alex is yet another painful reminder of how fragile life has become in the area