BEVERLY HILLS, August 05, (THEWILL) – The ongoing ritual killings in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State by a deadly cult group known as Badoo have complicated the already terrible state of insecurity of lives and property in Nigeria.
The massacre, which is often targeted at the entire family, has claimed the lives of many innocent people in Ikorodu and environs. Most intriguing about the bizarre killings is their style of targeting the head of their victims, which they reportedly shatter with a grinding stone, using a white handkerchief to soak the gushing blood which later gets used for their evil operations.
According to reports from some confessed members of the dreaded gang, one bloodstained handkerchief is sold for as much as N500, 000 (about $1,300). In the last three months, the cult group has continued to strike, despite efforts of combined security personnel and local vigilante groups.
Many have been killed with others missing due to members of this satanic cult. It is worrisome that four members of a family were recently murdered at Oke-Ota in one operation, after the police had arrested over 100 members of the gang and intensified manhunt for the others. The fifth member of the family who was wounded is said to be undergoing treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Tracking these cultists has been difficult because they target victims who live in very isolated areas. According to the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, when the police responded to a distress call in connection with the recent murdered family, the “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 house”.
THEWILL calls on the police to go the extra mile by probing the masterminds of these killings. If it is true that a blood-soaked handkerchief is sold for N500, 000, then there must be some powerful forces behind the perpetrators who the police must unmask so that justice can be served.
The recent discovery of a shrine that belongs to the gang further heightens fear. The owner of the shrine is said to be one Alhaji Alaka Aboyomi, who led a team of policemen into the place, which is located on a large expanse of land that is surrounded by thick bush. It was leant that five graves, including that of a freshly buried victim were discovered in the compound.
Under the circumstance, the two adjoining states of Ogun and Ondo should be more policed. It is important that the Federal Government intervene by ordering the formations of a joint military/police task force to check illegal movements of people and vehicles, especially at night.
As a temporary measure, families who reside in isolated places should relocate to safer zones until the situation is curtailed. While this is essential, it is highly regrettable that fraudsters are exploiting the situation to dupe families who are fleeing such deserted areas.
Unless government takes some drastic measures, the killings could force people to resort to self help, which could lead to the death of innocent persons. We recall the cases of two suspected Badoo gang members who were set ablaze at Magbo-Ogijo area of Ikorodu, one later reportedly found to be innocent of the allegation.
The police must be seen to be transparent in the prosecution of those arrested in connection with the crime. The case of a landlord, who allegedly collected N5million from the gang to allow them access to kill a family of four must be pursued to the end to deter others.
THEWILL urges all stakeholders to support security personnel to put a stop to these dastardly killings. The bloodshed in Ikorodu should not be seen as an isolated case, but a national security challenge. If the blood-lust gang is not immediately stopped in their track, their atrocious deeds could discourage investors from Lagos, even as the cultists may spread their demonic tentacles to other parts of the South-West and Nigeria.
These killings should be the concern of every Nigerian irrespective of ethnic, religious or political background.
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