The Filmhouse Group has honoured two security personnel who confronted a machete-wielding man during an attack at its cinema in Lekki, Lagos State, assuring customers of improved security across its locations.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the car park outside one of the group’s locations, reportedly left two people dead.
The Lagos State Police Command said the suspect, who was armed with a machete and knife, allegedly attempted to gain access to the cinema but was stopped by security personnel.
The suspect reportedly became violent after he was prevented from entering the premises and allegedly attacked the security guards.
The police spokesperson, SP Adebisi Abimbola, said the suspect allegedly stabbed one of the security guards to death and injured another security personnel.
She added that the suspect was subsequently mobbed and died in the process.
“Two people have been confirmed dead,” the police spokesperson said.
Abimbola said the identities of the deceased and the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being investigated.
She added that the suspect appeared to be destitute and was suspected to have been under the influence of drugs at the time of the incident.
The police spokesperson also said the Chief Security Officer of the cinema had been taken into custody as part of the investigation.
She said the command was working to obtain and review the closed-circuit television footage from the cinema to establish the sequence of events and determine whether other people were involved.
Reacting to the incident, Filmhouse Group expressed sadness over what it described as a security incident outside its premises and commended the security personnel who confronted the attacker.
The company said the incident was unrelated to its regular operations and that it was working with the relevant authorities investigating the matter.
Filmhouse said, “Filmhouse Group is deeply saddened by a security incident that took place outside the premises, in the car park of one of our locations, in the early hours of this morning. The incident was unrelated to our regular operations. We are working closely with the relevant authorities, who are leading the ongoing investigation, and have taken additional precautionary measures across our locations.”
The company praised the security personnel for putting themselves between the attacker and people under their care.
It said, “Both individuals stood between danger and the people in their care, and it is through their bravery that the situation was contained and safety restored. Their commitment and courage in that moment will not be forgotten.”
Filmhouse assured staff and customers that their safety and wellbeing remained its highest priority, saying security had been increased across all its locations.
“The safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests remain our highest priority. Security across all our locations has been increased and prioritised, and the safety of our guests and everyone within our premises remains of the utmost importance to us. We continue to monitor the ongoing situation,” the company said.
The police investigation is ongoing, with investigators expected to examine CCTV footage and other evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding the attack and determine whether other persons were involved.
