By Christopher Oji
Anger and grief overwhelmed residents of Ikorodu area of
Lagos yesterday, following the killing of a man, his pregnant wife and two
children by suspected members of the notorious and deadly cult group, Badoo.
The third child of the couple was still unconscious, battling for life in the
hospital at the time of this report.
The cultists, who struck in the wee hours of Monday, at the
deceased’s residence at Letter N Junction, Radio Area, Erunwen, Ikorodu, cut
open the pregnant woman and took away the foetus. The assailants also smashed
their victims’ heads with a pestle.
A resident, Dare, narrating what happened said: “We woke up
Tuesday morning and noticed that the family had not come out since morning. A
neighbour noticed that one of the windows had been broken and we suspected that
Badoo group may have struck. Our fears were confirmed when we peeped inside and
saw the damage done. We rushed the small girl to the hospital.
“We want the government to come to our rescue, as this is
about the 10th family; families have been wiped out by the gang. As I am
talking to you, many families are relocating because no one knows the next
victim. I am relocating too.”
Condemning the killings, coordinator, Ikorodu Ambassadors,
Rasheed Fatuga, said the Badoo issue must be addressed urgently.
He decried the poor manner in which the issue was being
handled, calling on the police, the state government and traditional
institutions to act fast before the matter gets out of hand.
He said: “How long would this continue? What is their
mission and purpose? Why kill families? What for? What gain? So sad! It is
shocking and sad to see that Badoo gang hasn’t been neutralised.
“What happens in a community, where constituted authorities
cannot provide security of life and property? What is the function of the
Ikorodu Police Division when they cannot give us peace of mind? What is the
essence of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad patrolling Ikorodu 24/7
looking for only Yahoo boys up and down?
“And where are the Ikorodu youths that are supposed to take
the Badoo issue as their priority, talk about it on social media every time,
forward the news to the Lagos State Government’s platforms, stand up against
this negligible acts? They are nowhere to be found. Instead, they are busy
carrying posters of politicians on their heads, politicians/leaders that are
responsible for all these suffering in the first place.
“Kudos to the vigilance group of Ikorodu, they have been
awesome, but they cannot do it all. They don’t have the resources. We need to
re-orientate and equip them.
“We use this opportunity to call on our community, religious
and political leaders to neutralise this ugly situation as soon as possible.
“Also, we are calling on Ikorodu indigenes/ambassadors all
over the world, Muslim community, Christian associations, traditional
worshippers, market men, women and all mothers in Ikorodu to stand up now.
Remember, posterity is watching you all!”
Fatuga said the murderous gang “usually looks for easy
access. They look for houses without burglary proofs, incomplete buildings,
areas where there are few houses, so that even when victims scream for help in distress,
they get none.
“It hasn’t been easy identifying and detecting the notorious
gang because they don’t carry weapons on them when walking. They depend and use
sharp objects and equipment at the scene to do their damage.”
Advising residents on how to be security-conscious, he said:
“Always challenge and report any suspicious person(s)/activities around your
environment to your landlord or Community Development Association; then they
can report to the necessary authorities. If you notice any stranger(s) parading
around your house/area, call on your neighbours, approach them politely, ask
questions, then call on elders, landlords or CDA representatives to intervene
and take necessary action.”
Contacted, the Lagos police command’s spokesman, Olarinde
Famous-Cole, an Assistant Superintendent, said investigation was ongoing to
arrest the culprits.
