The
cult group is known for wiping out whole families and using objects such as
pestles and rocks to smash their victims’ heads.
As
law enforcement agencies remain helpless in putting a stop to killings in
Ikorodu, Lagos, carried out by suspected members of a cult group known as
Badoo, traditionalists in the community have taken matters into their hands in
a war against the dreaded group.
On
Wednesday, about a hundred native doctors garbed in white attire gathered at
the palace of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi, to express their
readiness to combat the group.
Many
of them were armed with fetish objects like cow horns tied with red ribbons,
chanting war songs.
To
kickstart this phase of the “war”, the palace carried out some rituals while
residents were advised to stay indoors between 11.30pm on Thursday, June 29 to
5.30am on June 30.
The
Oluwo Osugbo of Ikorodu, Chief Adegboyega Adeyeri, who is one of the leaders of
the traditionalists in the town, told Saturday PUNCH that they have
kick-started the defeat of the Badoo group.
Even
though he did not reveal specifics of measures taken, Adeyeri called on all
members of the Badoo group to give themselves up as soon as possible.
He
said, “We will not give a specific ultimatum to them like our fore-fathers did
in the past but there are no two ways about it, all the evil doers would be
caught.
“If
the spirit of our fore-fathers are still with us, every member of the group or
any other person responsible for killings in Ikorodu would all meet a deadly
end soon unless they surrender.
“The
steps we have taken would ensure that none of them escapes. When things become
as worse as this, the steps we have taken become necessary.
“The
killers have done their part by carrying out the killings, now we have taken
our own steps and it is time for them to start feeling the sting.”
According
to Adeyeri, the members of the group have taken oaths of secrecy, which was why
those caught never confessed.
“Part
of what we have done is to ensure that anytime one of them is caught, the
suspect would surely confess by the power of our fore-fathers. All
traditionalists have come together as one on this and this alone is an
assurance that we cannot fail. No matter how smart or how devilish they are, we
will catch them all,” Adeyeri said.
Meanwhile,
the Lagos chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, on the other hand,
said it was holding prayer sessions over the matter even though it had not
publicised it.
The
Lagos Chairman of CAN, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, told Saturday PUNCH, “We are
praying and we are always praying even though we don’t have to publicise the
matter. Anything that prayers cannot handle is not an issue.
“We
are also praying for the state generally and our nation. And that is all I can
say about the matter at this moment.”
One
of the leaders of the vigilance groups in Ikorodu, Chief Kamorudeen Bombata,
told Saturday PUNCH that vigilantes across Ikorodu now embark on patrol side by
side with policemen.
“Nobody
is happy about what is going on in Ikorodu at this time. This is why we no
longer sleep because of constant patrol in the night,” he said. This is coming on the heels of the latest
killing suspected to have been carried out by the group when a couple – Ike
David, 50 and Margret David, 28; and two of their three children Ike David
(Jnr.), 5 and Matthew David, 4 – were killed at Olopomeji, Odogunyan around 1am
on Wednesday.
The
traditional ruler of Igbogbo, one of the suburbs of Ikorodu, Oba Semiu Kasali,
told Saturday PUNCH that there had been series of meetings with community
development associations, security agencies and vigilance organisations in the
community, adding that religious houses have also been involved to ensure
prayers are offered to help combat the Badoo cult.
He
said, “We have already tasked our traditionalists to do the needful in terms of
appeasements needed to forestall more violence. We have also continued to
sensitise our people to be vigilant. Last week, we saw an evidence of this when
a suspect was caught and was nearly lynched on allegations that he belonged to
the Badoo group. The divisional police officer and some of his men were almost
attacked. We had to call the Army to prevent the suspect from being lynched and
also helped to safeguard the police officers.
“We
will continue to sensitise our people not to take the laws into their hands.
But the police have a lot to do too because we have realised they are not
adequately prepared to handle this situation. We urge the government to give
the police formation around here the necessary support to do their job well.
However,
the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said
the police are currently working with the military and private security outfits
to ensure the safety of residents of Ikorodu and apprehend the criminals behind
the killings.
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