Ogun government holds meeting with security chiefs over Badoo cult gang

• Warns members, others to stay steer clear of the state
• Lawmakers caution against jungle justice

Worried by reports that the notorious “Badoo” cult group was planning to infiltrate Ogun State, the government yesterday held an emergency meeting with the security chiefs in the state.

The meeting, which was chaired by the governor, Ibikunle Amosun, had in attendance the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa, security chiefs of the Army, Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) among others.

The group has been responsible for incessant attacks on some residents of Ikorodu area of Lagos State, a border community to Ogun State.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the SSG warned the group and other criminal groups to steer clear of the state, saying proactive measures had been put in place to protect lives and property within the state.

Adeoluwa, who noted that the current administration in the state had always taken proactive measures to secure the lives and property of its people, said it would not fold its arms and watch criminal elements, under whatever guise unleash terror on them.

His words, “We just rose from a meeting with the governor and all the security chiefs, where we evaluated the current challenges, especially as it relates to the Badoo cult group.”

“We want to sound a note of warning to them not to come to Ogun State as we are determined to make our state uncomfortable for them to operate. We have mapped out our plans to deal with them and we are leaving no stone unturned in this regard”, the SSG said.

While reiterating government’s commitment at investing heavily in security, Adeoluwa urged residents of the state to remain calm and go about their activities peacefully, without any apprehension, assuring that all security agencies were working hand-in-hand to ensure their safety at all times.

Speaking on behalf of the Service Chiefs in the state, the Commissioner for Police, Mr. Ahmed Illiyasu said: “The security agencies in the state are united and committed, adding: “We are ready to dislodge any criminal and bring them down”.

Meanwhile, Senator representing Lagos East, Mr. Gbenga Ashafa has cautioned against jungle justice being meted on suspected members of the Badoo gangs .

The Senator representing Ogun East, Mr. Buruji Kashamu also condemned the dastardly act, saying, life belongs to the Almighty God and therefore, any attempt by anyone to take what he cannot give is preposterous.

In a press release yesterday, Ashafa expressed concern over reported incidents of lynching and in some cases outright killing of suspected members of the group.

He lamented some the victims have been identified as innocent and law-abiding members of the society.