By: Odieh Ramon.

The Lagos State Police Command has launched an investigation into the alleged arson and killing of a young man, Kilaso Paul, in an attack reportedly carried out by suspected Islamic extremists in Lagos.

The fatal fire incident occurred on December 20, 2025, at a residential building located at No. 4 Gbadamosi Close, Kola Ijaiye, Magodo area of Lagos State. The attack followed a series of previous assaults on the same house dating back to 2022. The latest incident left the community in mourning and heightened fear among residents.

According to police sources, the assailants may have carried out the attack under the belief that a certain young man, Azeez Hassan—said to be a fugitive fleeing religious persecution—was still residing in the house at the time of the incident.

Police stated that Kilaso Paul’s killing would be thoroughly investigated to determine the circumstances surrounding his death and to establish any connection with earlier attacks allegedly linked to Islamic fundamentalists who had reportedly been targeting Azeez Hassan following his conversion to Christianity.

Sources further revealed that Azeez Hassan had previously sought refuge in the Lagos residence after it was no longer safe for him to remain in Ibadan, Oyo State, due to repeated attacks that had threatened his life since childhood. The attackers were believed to have assumed that Azeez was still in the house when they struck, resulting in the fatal arson that claimed the life of Kilaso Paul.

The whereabouts of Azeez Hassan are currently unknown, as sources say he has gone underground with his young family in a bid to escape further attacks.

Police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible and to restore calm to the affected community.