Police, OPC arrest 100 killer cultists in Lagos

Police in Lagos, backed by the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), have arrested100 suspected members of a killer cult group known as Badoo.
The cultists have been terrorising residents of the state, killing and maiming several people in the last few months, especially in the Ikorodu axis.
The arrested cultists are to face prosecution, even as the state government on Sunday cautioned the residents against resorting to jungle justice on any suspected member of the gang.
The 100 suspects were arrested in a joint operation carried out by men of the Lagos Police Command, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), OPC, as well as local vigilantes including Onyabo in Ikorodu on Saturday.
The team, in the operation that started early Saturday morning, moved around Ikorodu and combed the suspected hideouts of the members of the gang from streets to streets.
The combined security team led by Imohimi Edgal, a deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, Lagos command, and the RRS commander, Olatunji Disu, were said to have combed black spots and suspected areas like Ikorodu, Ibeshe, Ita Maja, Ijede, Ipakodo and other areas, where the 100 suspects were arrested.
The operation was said to be a follow up to an earlier meeting with the Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) and Onyabo leaders held with security chiefs in the state last Friday.
Confirming the operation, the spokesman of the Lagos police command, Olarinde Famous-Cole said about 40 police and RRS vehicles were used for the operation, adding that the exercise was part of the ongoing efforts to rid the State of the activities of the dreaded cult group.
“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.

JOSHUA BASSEY