By Christopher Oji
A traditional ruler (baale) of Ipakodo, Ikorodu, Lagos, Alhaji Tijani Awoyemi, has been arrested over the activities of the killer cult group, Badoo, in his domain. Also arrested were the chief priest of a shrine, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi, Jimoh Christian and Owoyemi Bamidele.
This is coming at a time the police raided a shrine believed to be used by the Badoo gang in Ikorodu forest.
A source told Daily Sun: “Following the gruesome murder of four family members at Ibeshe on Sunday, the police decided to arrest the baale. Badoo cult group has been killing people and the state command, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mr. Edgal Imohinmi, had warned traditional rulers not to allow the cult group use their domain to perpetrate evil.
“Deputy Commissioner of Police Imohinmi said this in a meeting with traditional rulers, where he told them enough was enough. They all promised not to allow Badoo cult group to use their domain for operations. Imohinmi had threatened to arrest any baale in whose domain the gang operates freely. The police command was angry at the killing on Sunday by Badoo cult group, who murdered four family members, leaving one of them unconscious.”
He said through diligent investigation, the police discovered a shrine believed to be used by the Badoo cult, adding: “DCP Imohinmi led an early hour operation to the shrine. The custodian of the shrine was arrested and Imohinmi also ordered the arrest of the baale and three others.”
He revealed that the shrine was discovered in the thick forest of Agboowa, Ikorodu, adding: “The obas in Ikorodu area should know that their exalted offices have privileges and responsibilities. They have subjects within their domain. They should compel their subjects to report new people moving into their area. The activities of Badoo are an internal crime. No one would come from outside to wreak havoc in Ikorodu because the area has been cordoned off by the police.
“The traditional rulers sit down and watch people killed in their domain and they won’t do anything. They should discourage their subjects from building inside the bush and living there.”
It was gathered that five graves were discovered in the shrine.
Also sighted were baskets, broken eggs and other fetish items.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has reiterated the earlier warning to Lagos residents against living in isolated and unsafe areas.
In a press statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), the command said the warning became necessary in view of the upsurge of attacks by hoodlums on residents of isolated places.
Said the statement: “A murder incident was reported during the early hours of Sunday, July 30, 2017, where police operatives of the Lagos State Command responded to a distress call at Oke Ota, Ibeshe, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
“Mobilising to the scene, police operatives found it extremely difficult to locate the house, which was situated in a thick forest, where it is remotely impossible for anybody to identify a dwelling in the area.
“Eventually arriving at the scene on foot, the house is just a room and parlour with one open window and no visible form of security.
“There, a family of five was attacked and three died on the spot, while one died while receiving treatment at the hospital. The last member is alive and responding to treatment.”
He urged community leaders to identify persons staying in isolated areas, which are no longer safe, to come and report to the police.
He said: “This should be done in order to stop people from moving into unsecured area without proper social structures.
“The command also wishes to inform members of the public to come forward with useful information to aid the police and not resort to jungle justice as investigation is ongoing.”