A female eyewitness has recounted how moviegoers were allegedly trapped for about an hour during a violent attack at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX in Lekki, Lagos, saying one of the attackers later claimed that a man killed during the incident was his intended target.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday at the cinema’s car park, where two people were reportedly killed after a machete-wielding attacker assaulted a security operative and another individual.
The eyewitness, whose account has circulated widely on social media, said the attackers prevented people from escaping by blocking the only available exit, forcing terrified moviegoers to seek refuge in bathrooms.
She said the ordeal lasted for about an hour as the attackers moved around the premises with weapons, leaving patrons in fear for their lives.
According to her, one of the victims sustained a stab injury during the attack and efforts to secure immediate transportation to a hospital were delayed.
She alleged that it took about 35 minutes before a good Samaritan provided a vehicle to convey the injured man to a hospital.
The eyewitness further claimed that the victim died after passers-by removed the weapon from his body, apparently believing they were helping him.
She expressed concern over what she described as inadequate emergency preparedness at the facility, including the alleged absence of accessible emergency exits, emergency medical response and immediate law enforcement intervention.
She also said the incident exposed a lack of knowledge among bystanders about how to respond appropriately to serious stab injuries.
The eyewitness said the situation became even more disturbing after the attacker was apprehended and allegedly told those who caught him that the particular victim was his target.
The circumstances surrounding the attack and the alleged motive have not been independently established.
Filmhouse Cinemas had earlier expressed sadness over the incident and said an investigation was underway.
The company also commended individuals who it said acted bravely during the incident, noting that their actions contributed to containing the situation and restoring safety.
The police had yet to publicly provide a detailed account of the incident or clarify the circumstances surrounding the deaths as of the time of filing this report.
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