The arrest of 51-year-old man, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi, in
connection with the attack on a family of five in Oke Ota community, Ibeshe, Ikorodu
by a ritual cult, Badoo, has led to the discovery of the gang’s shrine in
Agbowa town, Ikorodu.
Abayomi, who lives in the Magodo area of the state was said
to be working with the group. He was arrested along with two others, whose names
had yet to be disclosed.
The assailants had killed four members of a family – Rotimi
Adejare, his wife, Rita, and two kids in the early hours of Sunday. The third
kid was admitted to the Ikorodu General Hospital in a critical condition.
The suspects had cut the window net of the family’s
apartment to gain entry, smashing a stone on the victims’ heads afterwards.
It was reported that the incident became known around 12pm
when their church members checked on them to know why they didn’t attend a
special church programme held that day.
The Lagos State Police Command, which had earlier distanced
the attack from the gang, said on Monday that three suspected members had been
arrested.
The command’s spokesperson, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said a
joint team, comprising operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence
Response Team, Rapid Response Squad, Special Anti-Robbery Squad and task force
personnel uncovered five buildings used by the gang.
Famous-Cole, in a statement, said a shrine and different
kinds of charms were found in the buildings.
He said, “The team, which was led by the Commissioner of
Police, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi,
uncovered the shrine of the dreaded cult terrorising residents of Ikorodu.
“The team had earlier arrested one Alhaji Alaka
Abayomi, a resident of Magodo, and he has been linked to the cult and the
recent murder of the Adejare family of five, who were attacked in their
one-bedroom apartment in Oke Ota, Ibeshe Ikorodu.
“The suspect confessed to know others, who own shrines in
the area and led the police to the cult’s shrine in Agbowa town. Different
ritual objects and charms were recovered in each of the five buildings in the
compound which was fenced with charms to scare away intruders. The compound was
always under lock and key. The police also made two different arrests as
surveillance has been heightened.”
The command added that efforts were being intensified to
unravel more hideouts of the gang and track down other Badoo members.
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