By Matthew Don
Poised to bring to an end the menacing activities of suspected Badoo members in parts of the state, Lagos State Police Command in collaboration with other security agencies and local security volunteers have arrested 87 suspected Badoo members and also declared 20 others wanted in connection with the activities of the group in Ikorodu.
Governor Akinwumni Ambode had asked the monarchs in Lagos State to work with security agents to fish out criminals in their domains.
The 87 suspected Badoo members were arrested in an all-night operation at their hideouts in Owutu and Odongunyan areas of Ikorodu during the week.
Those declared wanted for cult related killings include: Moshood (a.k.a. Mosho); Alfa (a.k.a. King of Boys); Papa; Fela; Alakoto and Chukwudi.
The police also declared 14 others wanted for kidnapping in Ikorodu. They include: Agbara; O/C; Keremini, Femi (a.k.a FM); Pencil, Ogidan; Jaru; Allen; Bush; Happiness; Fagbo; Junior; Nuru and Jamiu.
Those declared wanted have been told by the police to come out of their hideouts and report themselves to the nearest police station before they have themselves to blame
The Command equally advised members of the public with useful information on the suspects who are all residents of Ikorodu to assist the police.
The raid was an extensive operation on the two areas – Odongunyan and Owutu. The operation was necessitated by more intelligence on the membership of the dreaded cult group and their mode of operations.
Before the operations, the police in conjunction with members of the Department of State Security Service, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps and Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) met with herbalists and Babalawos in Ikorodu and its suburbs on the need to collaborate with the police to wipe out the cult group in Ikorodu.
Representing the Lagos State Police Commissioner, CP Fatai Owoseni at the meeting, Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP Imohimi Edgal warned the herbalists and Babalawo and local vigilantes to eschew jungle justice, stressing that the Command would not tolerate further excesses from the security stakeholders.
Edgal solicited more information that would help the police to speedily end the activities of the group in the area.
The Police Commissioners later met with Obas and traditional rulers in Ikorodu.
Also involved in the exercise were the Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Olatunji Disu; Acting Area Commander, Ikorodu and all DPOs in Ikorodu among other senior police officers.
On Thursday, July 6 Ambode challenged traditional rulers in his Epe and Ikorodu to ensure that criminals are not allowed to operate in their locality unnoticed.
Ambode was particular about the current criminal activities such as kidnapping, ritual killings, armed robbery and other negative acts perpetrated by all manner of persons living in their midst.
According to Ambode who was in Epe to commission the newly constructed Epe Jubilee Chalets, Fire Service and Access Bank complex, all of which are a beauty to behold urged the community to be part of efforts by the government and security agencies to rid our society of criminal-minded persons no matter who they are or where they may be hibernating in the state.
Ambode specifically challenged the monarchs and their subjects to tackle the menace of bodoo killings and kidnapping now, and promised that government was resolved to rescue the pupils of Igbonia schools who were recently abducted.
He promised that he will not leave any stone unturned to rid the state of criminal activities including badoo.
Ambode said: “This is a good opportunity for me to say this, since the majority of our traditional rulers are here.We just want to pass a message that we need to come together and ensure that we speak to all our baales in the communities that we are having issues and also Ikorodu, to say that we must speak to ourselves.
“We have intelligence that some of these things are coming from within and our Kabiyesis and Obas need to do something as quickly as possible to arrest this decadence that we have here.
“As far as the Badoo case is concerned, I don’t believe that it has anything to do with disapperaing ghosts. I don’t also believe that the rituals can be taking place, without some people not being behind it.
“So, I challenge all our Kabiyesis and all our traditional rulers and Baales, we must arrest this situation as quickly as possible and show that traditional values that we have always been known for and then we would continue to support it.”
Ambode reiterated his promise to protect the lives and property of all Lagosians who are law abiding.