Nigerian actress and filmmaker Queen Oluwa has shared a painful memory from her childhood, revealing that she witnessed people being killed during the period when the notorious Onyabo gangs were active on Lagos Island.
The actress made the disclosure during an interview on Talk To B on Friday, July 24, 2026, as she reflected on the violence that affected parts of Lagos Island and the lasting emotional impact it had on her.
Recalling the experience, Queen Oluwa said she personally witnessed killings carried out during the height of the Onyabo era and that some of the victims were people she knew.
“I have seen people get killed right in front of me in Lagos Island when they were doing Onyabo, they killed people that I know,” she said during the interview.
According to the actress, the incidents occurred in broad daylight, creating fear and uncertainty among residents of the area. She said witnessing such violence at a young age left a lasting impression on her and continues to shape her memories of growing up on Lagos Island.
Queen Oluwa explained that seeing people lose their lives in front of her gave her firsthand experience of the insecurity that affected many communities during that period. She noted that the killings were not distant events but incidents she observed personally, making the experience particularly traumatic.
Her account highlighted the atmosphere of fear that many residents associated with the activities of the Onyabo groups, which were widely known for violent clashes and attacks in parts of Lagos Island during their peak.
The filmmaker suggested that living through those events gave her a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by families and communities affected by violence. According to her, the memories have remained vivid because the victims were not strangers but individuals she personally knew.
She did not provide additional details about the specific incidents or identify the victims but emphasized that witnessing the killings had a profound effect on her.
Queen Oluwa’s remarks have sparked reactions on social media, where many users expressed sympathy over her experience and reflected on the period of violence that affected Lagos Island.
Some commenters recalled the fear that accompanied gang-related clashes and attacks during those years, while others noted the psychological impact such experiences can have on people who witness violent incidents firsthand.
The actress’s comments have also renewed conversations about the importance of preserving peace and improving security in communities that have previously experienced gang violence.
Throughout the interview, Queen Oluwa spoke about her personal experiences rather than broader historical events, offering insight into how the violence she witnessed influenced her perspective.
Her account serves as a reminder of the human impact of gang-related violence and the lasting emotional effects such experiences can have on those who live through them.
While recounting the events, the actress focused on the trauma of witnessing people she knew being killed and the fear that gripped residents during that period.
Her revelation has continued to generate discussion online, with many describing her experience as a sobering reminder of the insecurity that once affected parts of Lagos Island and the need for sustained efforts to prevent similar violence in the future.
