Lagos State Police Command on Tuesday recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against the menace of Badoo cult with the arrest of the group’s herbalist, Fatai Adebayo alias Alese.
Police disclosed that it had earlier at the weekend arrested the cult leader, just as it confirmed the demolition of the shrine located at No 38, Ayegbami Quarters in Imosan, where the herbalist operates from.
It would be recalled that the notorious activities of the dreaded cult group, which were prevalent in Ikorodu and Epe axis of the state, had sent many of the victims to their early graves with cruel killings through the smashing of mortar and pestle on victims’ heads.
Police spokesperson, SP Chike Oti, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos, saying
Adebayo, 34, who specializes in administering oath on members of the group before they launched an attack, was arrested at his shrine located in Imosan Village, a suburb of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
According to him, Adebayo’s arrest followed the arrest of some Badoo cult suspects at the weekend, including the overall head of the group.
The State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal, had while speaking while parading Adebayo before newsmen at the shrine, said the head of the group was arrested on water during an attempt to escape.
The CP, who led the operation involving the Commander of Rapid Response Squad (RRS), ACP Tunji Disu; Chairman of Lagos State Special Task Force, SP Yinka Egbeyemi, among others, said the investigation was still ongoing.
He, however, said that the full details about the arrests made so far would be disclosed on Thursday at a press briefing.
“Over the weekend, we had far-reaching achievements in the fight against the killers popularly known as Badoo in Ikorodu.
“Their kingpin who is the head, of the group has been arrested. He was arrested for water as he was making his escape,” Edgal said.
Edgal, while revealing how the herbalist was arrested, said an arrested suspect confessed and led the police to the shrine, where the cult group also visited before they went for any killing.
According to Edgal, the suspect let the police know that the head of the group, who is currently in police custody, would bring members to the herbalist, Adebayo, to come and carry out oath for both themselves and the piece of stone they used for their killings.
“One of the suspects arrested confessed and he led us here that before they go for any killing, the head of the group brings them to this gentleman (Adebayo) to come and carry out oath for both themselves and the piece of stone they used for their killings and that they don’t go for any killing without first of all coming for oath in this shrine and that is why we are here,” the police boss said.
“This gentleman is an accomplice before the fact and so definitely we are placing him under arrest and as well as sealing off the shrine till after investigation.
“I will give further details on Thursday during my press briefing but I can assure the good people of Ikorodu, Lagosians, and Nigerians that we will not rest until this evil is completely rooted out from Lagos State,” Edgal assured.
The CP also made a brief stop-over at the palace of the traditional ruler of Imosan Village, Chief Tajudeen Muili, to intimate him of the criminal activities going on under his domain.
Items found in the demolished shrine include different charms and big stones said to be used for the illicit activities of the Badoo group.
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