Yesterday, the report focused on the bizarre activities of Badoo boys in Ikorodu and the state Police command’s determination to contain the menace. In this concluding part, the report presents reactions of citizens as well as responses from the state government and the House of Assembly.
THIS was said to have prompted sometraditionalists to convene an emergency meeting where a decision was taken to perform a three-day ritual. And as if to justify its potency, a male suspect was apprehended soon after. Residents said he was found with a knife, white handkerchiefs and had engine oil rubbed all over him. He was said to have been handed over to the Rapid Response Squad RRS, Ibeshe Division for interrogations. It was in the course of his interrogation that the name ‘’Badoo” emerged.
He was said to have confessed to the Police about a group known as ‘’Badoo” which specialised in serial rape, but residents claimed the matter was swept under the carpet. Some female victims who survived the attacks told Vanguard INSIGHT that after the serial rape, the suspects usually wipe their female victims’ private organs with white handkerchiefs, heightening the rumour and belief that the stained handkerchiefs were later used for rituals by some yet-to-be identified notable people who usually buy them for between N200, 000 and N500,000.
Mass exodus of residents
At a point, most of these Badoo attacks appeared concentrated in Ibeshe, leading to mass exodus of residents from there to other areas considered safe. Those who could not relocate, however, decided to put heads together and formed vigilance groups to protect themselves. In the event, relative calm gradually returned to Ibeshe land.
Residents said in spite of the happenings, the Oba of Ibeshe, Richard Abayomi Ogunsanya, remained indifferent, and appeared more concerned about planning his coronation anniversary and to celebrate what sources hinted was his elevation to a First Class Oba status.
But following the beefing up of security in Ibeshe, the Badoo cultists shifted their activities to neighbouring areas like Olu-Odo, Itamaga, Ogijo, Erunwen, Isiu, Odogunyan, Igbo-Oluwo, Agbowa, Imota and Maya. The most recent and heart-rending of the attacks happened in Odogunyan last week Wednesday where a family of five was wiped out. The incident occurred at Aliyu Adesanya street, Olopomeji Bus-stop where David Ikehi, his wife, Priscillia and three children Moses, Sunday and a two-year-old baby were gruesomely murdered.
Three other buildings were attacked by the suspects. However, while the residents of Ibeshe continue to accuse their Oba of insensitivity to their plight in preference to his coronation anniversary, the situation appears different in other communities where their royal fathers are being praised for reportedly rising to the occasion in respect of the Badoo cult threat and attacks.
For instance, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali (Emugoriade 1), was said to have on June 13, convened a security meeting in his palace which featured security operatives, hoteliers, community development associations, clergies, sellers of locally produced herbal-cum-alcoholic drinks (paraga), Neighbourhood Watch, VGN, ‘Onyabo’ and other local security operatives.
By way of seeking solution to the problem, the Oba asked stakeholders to outline their challenges and experiences for proper examination. He also used the opportunity to caution against noise pollution, saying that it would no longer be tolerated, especially at late hours of the night. Among other decisions taken was that the use of electricity generating sets should not extend beyond midnight, while hoteliers and beer palour operators should endeavour to screen their customers and should not operate beyond 10pm. As part of the measures, the traditionalists were required to perform relevant traditional rituals in all communities.
The Igbogbo meeting spurred neighbouring communities in Ikorodu into similar action of introducing security measures in their areas. Religious bodies in places like Imota, Ibeshe, Agbowa, Adamo, Odogunyan, Ita-Oluwo, Ogijo, Gbaga, Igbogbo and environs, were not left out as they separately organised three-day programmes which ended on Monday July 3 and featured prayer meetings, festivals and rituals to cleanse the land.
Reign of jungle justice in Ikorodu:
Having obviously lost confidence in the ability of the police to protect them from the Badoo cultists, Ikorodu residents have resorted to self-help to protect themselves. With attacks from the cultists becoming more frequent and vicious, most residents felt it was time to fight back fire with fire, which entailed arming themselves.
Indeed, most of them now sleep with machetes and whistles, including other weapons for self-defence. When attacked or in distress residents are expected to blow the whistle many times to alert others of the presence of the notorious Badoo boys. The residents are also being drafted by their community development associations, CDAs, to become members of vigilante teams being set up to respond to possible Badoo cultists attacks.
But the situation has also made residents to become overly suspicious of strangers and easily resort to mob action to apprehend and lynch anyone suspected of being a Badoo member. Unfortunately this has resulted in tragic cases of mistaken identity. One of such was the murder of a comedian by a lynch mob who mistook him and two others with him in a car for Badoo members.
Lamenting this sad development, a veteran comedian, Babatunde Omidina popularly known as Baba Suwe who resides in Ikorodo, told a celebrity online publication that the place has suddenly become a dangerous place to live in and do business.
Gruesome murders
While expressing shock and fear at the gruesome murders carried out by the Badoo boys, he lamented the fact that the situation had since turned Ikorodu into an unsafe place with marauding vigilante groups also baying for blood. According to him: “…You would be shocked at the number of vigilante groups you would meet on the way. Ikorodu is now hot and a lot of people do not want to come here. It is so bad that lots of landlords have vacated their homes for fear of these boys. They ran for their lives.
“What these boys are doing is very terrible and they are embarrassing a lot of people. If anyone wants to come to Ikorodu at night, they would meet so many security men who would begin to question them. This kind of embarrassment is getting too much but I am sure that God would save us.”
Police intervenes, residents unimpressed: After its response which led to the arrest of over 100 members of the Badoo cult group, the Lagos State Police Command had made the possession of valid identification compulsory for all members of the public, especially residents in Ikorodu and environs. The order which took immediate effect on July 4, 2017 was according to the Force part of security arrangements being put in place for the safety of everyone throughout the state by the police and other security agencies, adding that every identification would be verified to ensure that criminals are fished out and dealt with.
Unfortunately, in spite of the Police intervention and security measures introduced to safeguard life and property, most Ikorodu residents still do not trust the police enough to rely on them for protection.
Hence, they prefer to relate with the local security groups like the Onyabo, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, VGN; Yago Boys, the Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, among others. Residents claimed that when crimes are committed and suspects are handed over to the Police, they later see them walking freely in the community and threatening the residents. In most cases, the police are alleged to be divulging the source of information to the suspects.
This is said to have encouraged residents taking the law into their hands by way of meting out jungle justice to suspects. It also buttresses the recent claim by the Lagos State Command that six cases of jungle justice have been recorded in Ikorodu between June 2016 and June 2017.
Why we lost confidence in the Police– residents
Some Odogunyan residents said they were pained by the fact that most victims of Badoo attacks belonged to the less privileged class. Mr. Rauf Ayuba said the killing of the Ikehis in particular threw the community into mourning, adding that they were particularly pained that the Police were not supportive.
He said: ‘’Badoo’s activities were concentrated on the poor. For example, David was a commercial motorcyclist and his wife sold roasted corn at Odogunyan. How can innocent lives be brutally cut short and the rich show little or no concern? That is why we have decided to take the security of our lives into our hands since the Police have not been alive to their responsibilities”.
To add to the angst against the Police was residents disputing claim by the Lagos State Police Command that it arrested 15 suspects after a raid in some parts of Ikorodu. According to the residents, the credit for the arrest should go to the local security groups like Onyabo, VGN, Yago Boys and the OPC who have been combing the nooks and crannies of Ikorodu to fish out the criminals.
Families of victims demand govt’s appropriate response
One of those affected by the Badoo attacks, Mr. Bimbo Jubril, had while lamenting the inability of the Police to fish out his wife’s killers since June 2016, declared thus: ‘’The police are not doing enough and that is why jungle justice is on the increase. Residents went the extra mile to apprehend some suspects, unfortunately the matter was handled with kid’s glove. My wife was killed in June 2016 in the presence of our 14 months old baby; my family has since moved on and my baby has overcome the trauma. But government should provide adequate security in Ikorodu and its environs”.
Another affected resident, Abduganiyu Muhammed, was full of appreciation to God Almighty for sparing the life of his mother, 86 years old Madam Belau for the past one year. ‘’I am grateful to God for taking her this far, though it is sad she has to go through that kind of trauma in her old age; but God remains God. Government should put more effort and the traditional rulers should not go to bed until success is recorded in the land,” he said.
Another resident who pleaded anonymity said his family relocated to Sagamu, Ogun State after his younger sister, her spouse and three children were brutally murdered by Badoo about three months ago. He said: “My sister, Ikorodu is no longer safe and the best thing is to relocate to safer areas. My sister and her immediate family were wiped out about three months ago and the culprits are yet to be fished out. The police have shown no concern and I have to relocate to Sagamu to cater for our aged mother. I am worried by the fact that the Ayangburen of Ikorodu Oba Sikiru Shotobi, has also been silent over the Badoo activities.
“Do you know that so many suspects have been handed over to the Police but when the matters were transferred to court, the Investigating Police Officers, IPOs, had played a fast one on the residents by not carrying them along in court proceedings. For instance, when a judgement is fixed for 12.00pm, the Police will tell the complainant it is 8.00am so and after a long wait, he\she will angrily leave the court before the hearing and at the end of the day, the suspects are discharged and acquainted since the complainants fail to show up,” he informed.
At press time, palpable fear pervades Ikorodu as residents continue to look over their shoulders, not sure when the next attack from lurking Badoo cultists will occur. Their fear is further heightened by claims that the Ayangburen of Ikorodu and the Oba of Ibeshe land have been silent over the disturbing development in the town.
Even the assurance by the Lagos State Police PRO, ASP Olarinde Famous- Cole, that his men have been working underground to fish out the criminals has failed to assuage their fear..
Security: Govt has not lived up to expectations— Ikorodu residents
In the light of their recent experiences with dare-devil armed robbers, kidnappers and lately ruthless Badoo cultists, most residents of Ikorodu are blaming both the police authorities and the state government for allowing criminal elements to turn Ikorodu into their popular haunt, saying they have both failed to respond appropriately to threats from these criminal elements by adopting measures to safeguard the entire area. According to the Secretary, Sodumade Solumade CDA Mr. Chukwudi Rosanwo, the Police are not doing enough as far as security is concerned in Ikorodu.
“It’s unfortunate that the Police are not helping matters, especially in the area of curbing crime. On several occasions, our community had taken thieves who were caught in the act by our local security outfit to the station. But before you know it, the suspects are back to town going around the community and threatening the executive members of the community,‘’ he said.
Present move by government
Buttressing Chukwudi’s claim was a resident of Ibeshe Titun, Ikorodu, Mr. Akiode Phillips, who blamed the state government for not being proactive when the Badoo monster first reared its head in his community. ‘’It is a pity Nigeria is led by those who do not care for the well-being and safety of the people. The Badoo issue started in our community and we cried out as soon as it was noticed.
We took our protests to the Oba of Ibeshe’s palace, the Government House Ikeja and the police station, but the governor, legislators and the monarch turned deaf ears to our pleas for intervention. It was only the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, who tried his best to rally to our help, unfortunately his effort was sabotaged by the powers that be.
“The present move by government is simply medicine after death. The issue wouldn’t have degenerated to this level if the government and the monarchs had acted fast. Do you know that Ikorodu indigenes were not attacked? Only the non-indigenes have been attacked so far,” he submitted.
Another resident who lives in Ijede area of Ikorodu, Mr. Bathlomew Okojie but works as a contractor in the Ajah area, also deplores the killings, saying the situation there has forced him to alter his movement between Ajah and Ikorodu, with attendant inconveniences to his finances and health. And like many, he is also blaming the Police for allegedly not doing their best to contain the situation.
High level of criminality: “The Police are not doing enough to address the problem. For instance, when you go to the station to report a matter, it is observed that they make ways for the suspect to escape after arrest. Also, it is observed that high level of criminality has mostly been traced to the top hierarchy, especially the traditional rulers. For instance, there have been claims that once Badoo suspects are arrested, there will be calls from powers that be for the immediate release of such suspects and the lower ranked police officers will have no choice but to comply. So, how do you expect an end to criminality with this kind of perversion going on?’’ he queried.
In his view, a resident of Owode-Ajeguunle, Madam Aanuoluwa Oliuwabamise, claimed that there is division of labour within the Badoo with different groups responsible for sourcing information and carrying out operations. ”The sourcing group is in charge of scouting for possible victims within a particular environment. Sources also said that acting on instructions, they avoid attacking indigenes. Once they are through with this scouting duty, they relay their information to the operation wing of the Badoo after which they are paid N50,000 for each information given or target identified.
Alarmed by the worsening security challenges, a resident of Ogijo, Mrs. Grace Martins, said: ‘’Due to the happenings in Ikorodu, I have relocated my aged mother from Ogijo to Anibaba for safety. Presently, her business and religious activities have been put on hold pending the time government will find a lasting solution to the situation. On a serious note, many monarchs in Ikorodu cannot be trusted due to their dubious ways of handling issues.
“I will not be surprised if they are linked to this criminal use of the blood of innocent individuals to appease their so-called gods. In fact, I am aware that an atonement ritual is being carried out to appease the gods because of the claim that they are angry.
“As a matter of fact, only the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo ascended the throne genuinely and that is why Igbogbo land has been peaceful. The Oba is living up to expectations by using every means to prevent wicked occurrences in his kingdom”.
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