On the evening of Friday, August 29, two individuals were pronounced dead after an armed man carrying a knife and a machete invaded the IMAX Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos State.
The chaotic event sparked widespread fear among ‘movie-goers’ and staff, unfolding when security personnel intercepted the suspect as he tried to force his way into the building.
According to onlookers, the attacker, who seemed to be intoxicated by narcotics, reacted aggressively when denied access to the facility.
SP Adebisi Abimbola, the Lagos State Police Command’s spokesperson, verified the event, stating that the attacker fatally stabbed one security guard and left another wounded during the altercation.
She noted that the attacker, who looked to be homeless, was then set upon by an angry crowd and lost his life during the retaliation.
“We can confirm the loss of two lives,” Abimbola stated, noting that authorities are actively probing the conditions surrounding the tragedy.
She clarified that law enforcement is currently working to uncover the attacker’s identity as well as the exact chain of events that resulted in his demise.
Furthermore, Abimbola revealed that the cinema’s Chief Security Officer has been detained while inquiries proceed.
She mentioned that authorities are taking steps to retrieve and analyze the venue’s closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings.
She indicated that examining this footage will help detectives piece together the actual events and pinpoint any additional individuals linked to the tragedy.
The police representative reiterated that an active inquiry is underway, promising to uncover all the critical details related to the fatalities.
This tragedy has ignited fresh worries regarding the safety protocols at leisure and amusement venues, especially concerning the capacity of guards to spot and stop hazardous persons from entering densely populated areas.
At the time this update was filed, law enforcement had not yet released the names of the victims or shared any new information regarding the wounded security officer’s health status.
The probe into this matter continues.
