At least three people lost their lives when a violent clash erupted during a masquerade festival in Lagos Island, Lagos State.

What began as a cultural celebration reportedly turned deadly after suspected cultists hijacked the event, sparking a supremacy battle that left the community in chaos.

Residents said the disturbance broke out shortly after the festival ended.

“We had just finished the festival when a fight suddenly started among some boys believed to be cultists. They began throwing bottles and brandishing weapons. Nobody could step in—everyone ran for safety,” a community member, who requested anonymity, recounted.

Clips circulating online showed suspected cultists firing shots along Lagos Street. One video captured at least five gunshots, while another revealed a victim being brutally beaten by a group of attackers.

A resident identified as Kazeem said the mayhem stretched into the night.

“The fight began in the evening and didn’t stop until midnight. Many of us couldn’t sleep because of the gunshots and destruction,” he said.

The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with platforms tracking cult-related violence reporting that gangs had taken over the masquerade event and turned it into an armed confrontation.

In response, the Lagos State Police Command said it had intensified security surveillance across Lekki, Ajah, Ogombo, Elem