TheCable

The Lagos state police command says it has arrested 87 suspected members of the Badoo group.

The command also declared 20 people wanted in connection with the activities of the group.

In a statement, the police said the suspects were arrested in an all-night operation in Owutu and Odongunyan areas of Ikorodu.

The police said the raid was necessitated by intelligence on the membership of the dreaded cult group and their mode of operation.

The operation was said to have been carried out in collaboration with other security agencies and local volunteers.

“Before the operations, the police in conjunction with members of the Department of State Security Service (DSS), representatives of the Nigerian Army, Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps and Odua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) met with herbalists (Babalawos) in Ikorodu and its suburbs on the need to support the effort to wipe out the group,” the statement said.

Those declared wanted for cult-related killings were identified as Moshood (a.k.a Mosho), Alfa (a.k.a King of Boys), Papa, Fela, Alakoto, and Chukwudi.

Others are Agbara, O.C, Femi (a.k.a FM), Pencil, Odidan, Jaru, Allen, Bush, Happiness, Fagbo, Junior, Nuru and Jamiu.

Residents of Ikorodu and its environs have lived in fear of the “notorious” gang, the latest being an attack on a church near Ikorodu, where three people were killed.

Security operatives had on sunday arrested 100 suspected members of the gang.