Machete-Wielding Man Kills Security Guard at Lekki Cinema Before Being Mobbed to Death
Two people have died following a violent attack at IMAX Cinemas in Lekki, Lagos State, on Friday night, August 29, after a man believed to be under the influence of drugs stormed the premises armed with a machete and knife.
According to witnesses, the incident occurred at the cinema, located within Filmhouse Cinemas in Lekki Phase 1, when the man attempted to force his way into the premises but was stopped by two security guards on duty. An eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the confrontation began outside the cinema while patrons were watching a film inside. According to the witness, the man was armed with a machete and raising alarm outside the building, initially causing fear among onlookers who suspected an armed robbery was taking place nearby. The witness said the situation escalated into a physical struggle after security personnel refused to let the man inside, at which point he attacked them.
Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, SP Adebisi Abimbola, said the suspect stabbed one of the security guards to death and left another security personnel injured during the attack. She said the suspect, who appeared to be destitute and was also suspected to have been under the influence of drugs at the time, was subsequently mobbed by people at the scene and died as a result. “Two people have been confirmed dead,” Abimbola said, adding that the police had launched an investigation into the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
As of the time of reporting, police had not disclosed the identities of either the deceased security guard or the suspect, and the condition of the injured security personnel had also not been made public. According to further reports, the cinema’s Chief Security Officer was taken into custody as part of the investigation, and police were said to be reviewing CCTV footage from the premises to establish a clearer picture of what happened and whether any other individuals were involved.
The incident has raised fresh concerns among some observers about security protocols at entertainment venues and the ability of guards to identify and safely manage potentially dangerous individuals attempting to access crowded public spaces. Police say investigations remain ongoing, with further details expected as the inquiry progresses.
About the Author
