THREE suspected members of the notorious Badoo cult were killed on Sunday, July 2, as angry Ikorodu residents led by Onyabo, a local vigilante group, attacked the gang.

The suspects were burnt to death in their Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV, on Oju-Emuren Street, Odogunyan. They were said to be dressed in black suits.

The deceased were said to have been found with three big grinding stones, charms and oil and were lynched when they could not explain what they were doing with the items.

The deceased, it was gathered, claimed they were on their way to tow a broken down vehicle when they were caught.

A resident said: “The men looked like bouncers and they wore black suits. Their vehicle was stopped by Onyabo for interrogation and they said they were going to tow a broken down vehicle.

“When a search was conducted on their SUV, three grinding stones, oil and charms were found. They could not explain what they were doing with them. Onyabo called residents out and that was how the suspects were instantly roasted alive.”

Their death is the latest in the series of killings of suspected Badoo cultists in the past one week. Ten persons have so far been killed in different areas of Ikorodu for allegedly being Badoo members.

The police and other security agencies could not rescue the suspects as the mob stoned them.

The killings on Sunday sparked an outrage as many said the residents might be killing innocent people.

Hameed Sanni said: “I cannot understand the way our people are handling the situation of Badoo.  Honestly, they are allowing their emotions to betray their judgment. Our actions towards judgment are barbaric. How can you say you are an innocent person and you act in this manner? I couldn’t stand this (the killing). Oh my goodness! We have a long way to go; believe me. I am not against apprehending them, but hand them over to the relevant authority. We should not take laws into our hands because it doesn’t resolve anything.”

Also on Sunday, July 2, the Police said more than 100 persons were arrested in a raid on Ikorodu at the weekend.

The operation was led by Edgal Imohinmi, a deputy commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, operatives, Onyabo and Odua Peoples Congress, OPC, members swept on Igbogbo/Bayeku, Ibeshe, Ijede and Imota for Badoo cultists.

The police, it was learnt, also met with traditional rulers, residents and vigilante members on the need to shun mob justice.

Olarinde Famous–Cole, an assistant superintendent of Police, ASP, Lagos State command’s spokesperson, said 40 police and RRS vehicles were deployed in the operation.

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.

A source said formation indicated that Badoo members usually sold the handkerchiefs they wiped their victims blood with to prominent people at N500,000 each.

“We heard they sell one handkerchief containing the blood of their victims for N500,000 to highly placed Nigerians. Police should investigate and put an end to this so that residents will not vacate Ikorodu,” he said.

Abiodun Akerejola alias Ojolebua, an OPC member, said the raid, followed a closed-door stakeholders meeting. He said: “The issue of Badoo and other cult activities in Ikorodu and environs should give everyone concern, not only the police. We do not know the next family or person they might attack. We appreciate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode for his support and assistance.”

—  Jul 3, 2017 @ 12:10 GMT