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.
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