Badoo strikes again in Ikorodu

After a few weeks of relative peace, the notorious ritual cult, Badoo, has rekindled panic in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

The cult killed a couple – Mr. and Mrs. Adejare – two of their children, while the third kid was said to be in a coma at the Ikorodu General Hospital.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday in Oke Ota community, Ibeshe. The children were reportedly aged between five and one. Two of them were identified as Siyin and Ajoke, all females.

PUNCH Metro learnt that the assailants cut the window net of the family’s apartment to gain entry.

They were said to have subsequently smashed the victims’ heads with a stone and left the area unnoticed.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the incident became known around 12pm when church members of the deceased checked on them on the way from church.

He said, “They had a special programme in their church today (Sunday). The members decided to check on them because they did not come to the church. They found the whole family in a pool of blood and raised the alarm. One of the three children was still breathing. He was rushed to the general hospital.

“There are burglar-proof bars on the windows in the house, except in the kitchen. They came through the kitchen. They tore the net and entered the house.

“We seem to have relaxed in securing the community because the attack subsided for some time. Even the police patrol has reduced.”

Another resident, who did not want his name in print, told PUNCH Metro that the corpses were removed by policemen from the Ipakodo division.

He said the victims attended The Chosen Generation Family Church in Oke Ota, adding that a stone used by the gang was left behind.

“The apartment was given to them by the church. The couple were on the bed, while the children slept on mats. Four of them were killed. Their corpses have been deposited in the Ikorodu General Hospital mortuary,” he added.

A community leader said the residents would intensify  vigils in the neighbourhood, urging the police to ensure regular patrol on streets.

He said, “We were happy that things were getting better before this incident. There is one little girl among them receiving treatment at a hospital. Her head was smashed.

“We only hear sirens of the police patrol from the main road. They don’t usually come into the inner parts of the community, where the Badoo members operate.”

The Lagos State police spokesperson, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said the killings had no connection with the Badoo cult, adding that the location of the family’s residence was not accessible to vehicles.

“No visible trace of violence or clues linked to the cult was found. No one was found at the scene. A case of murder is being investigated by police detectives, which doesn’t fit in the modus operandi of the cult.”