The Lagos State Police Command in conjunction with the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) and local vigilante groups on Saturday raided the hideouts of the notorious Badoo cult in Ikorodu, arresting over 100 suspected members.
The exercise was a follow up to a meeting which the National Coordinator of Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC), Gani Adams and Onyabo leaders held with security chiefs in the state last Friday.
Fifteen suspects were initially arrested on Saturday but the number had risen to 100 as at Sunday morning.
The combined security team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Lagos Police Command, Mr. Imohimi Edgal, and the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu, specifically combed black spots and suspected areas like Ikorodu, Ibeshe, Ita Maja, Ijede, Ipakodo and other areas, arresting about 100 suspects for questioning.
Confirming the operation, Public Relation Officer of Lagos State Police Command, ASP Olarinde Famous–Cole said about 40 police and RRS vehicles were used for the operation, adding that the exercise was part of the ongoing efforts to rid the state of the activities of the dreaded cult group.
He said: “We can confirm the arrest of 100 suspected members of the dreaded cult group, Badoo and they are helping with ongoing investigation into the activities of the gang.
“Government is on top of the situation and we like to use this medium to caution the people to desist from jungle justice.
“We also like to assure residents that they are free to go about their normal activities without let or hindrance, as the police and other security agencies in the state are poised to make the state uncomfortable and hot for criminal elements to perpetrate their nefarious activities,” Famous–Cole said.
Members of the Badoo cult have been accused of carrying out gruesome murders of entire families in the Lagos suburb.
Some people have fled their residence while some traditionalists marched to the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, on Wednesday to protest the killing.
Traditional rites were also held in Ikorodu, forcing residents to stay indoors from 11:30pm on Thursday to 5:30am on Friday.
