In 2017, Ikorodu, a peri-urban area in Lagos State, became the focus of widespread fear due to a series of ritual-style killings attributed to a secret society known as the Badoo cult. Reports indicated that victims were attacked at night using household implements such as grinding stones or mortars, rather than firearms, creating alarm and prompting urgent intervention by law enforcement agencies.
Residents were deeply unsettled, fearing occult involvement, and altered their routines, particularly limiting night-time movement, while social cohesion weakened as neighbours became suspicious of one another.
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Key Events and Actors
A major law enforcement intervention occurred on 13 July 2017, when a joint security task force, including the Lagos State Police Command, vigilante groups, and local security operatives, conducted raids across multiple flashpoints in Ikorodu, resulting in the arrest of 133 suspected cult members.
Despite these arrests, killings continued, suggesting a structured network operating within and beyond Ikorodu. Investigations identified the presence of a spiritual or ritual centre controlling cult operations.
On 2 January 2018, law enforcement made a breakthrough with the arrest of Fatai Adebayo, alias “Alese”, at his shrine in Imosan Village, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He was identified as the spiritual head or high priest of the cult, responsible for blessing members and their implements prior to killings.
The shrine, located at 38 Ayegbami Quarters, contained ritual objects including grinding stones, bottles with unknown substances, figurines, cowry-embedded items, images, and live animals such as goats and chickens. Authorities stated that members visited the shrine to swear oaths and prepare implements before committing killings. Following the arrest, the shrine was sealed and later demolished with approval from the local traditional authority.
Modus Operandi and Social Impact
Police reports indicated that the cult preferred household implements for attacks, avoiding firearms. Suspects reportedly confessed to taking oaths at the shrine and using grinding stones to commit killings.
The killings generated widespread fear. Residents limited night-time movement, imposed informal curfews, and in some cases relocated to safer areas. Civilians sometimes apprehended suspected cultists before police intervention, demonstrating frustration with persistent insecurity.
Economic activity, particularly local trade and markets, was disrupted as residents avoided venturing out after dark, though no public data quantifies the economic loss.
Investigations and Crackdown
In mid-2017, authorities uncovered a shrine in a forested area on the outskirts of Ikorodu, where five graves, including one newly dug, were reportedly discovered.
The arrest of Fatai Adebayo in January 2018 disrupted the cult’s spiritual and operational network. The seizure of ritual paraphernalia and demolition of the shrine marked a turning point, while law enforcement continued investigations and prosecutions for murder and conspiracy-related offences. Community leaders were called upon to assist in monitoring and reporting cult activity.
Context
The emergence of the Badoo cult is linked to socio-economic and demographic conditions in Ikorodu, including rapid urbanisation, population influx, informal settlements, and limited policing resources, which created social anonymity and vulnerability.
Occult beliefs remain part of Nigeria’s socio-cultural fabric, yet their exploitation for violent purposes demonstrates a convergence of criminal intent, social vulnerability, and breakdown of communal oversight. The events occurred in post-colonial Nigeria and are unrelated to colonial-era policies or administration.
Legacy and Ongoing Relevance
The arrests and shrine demolition disrupted one identifiable node of the cult network and restored some confidence among residents.
The Badoo episode underscores the need for continuous community engagement, intelligence-led policing, and investment in social infrastructure to prevent similar secret societies from emerging.
The Badoo cult killings in Ikorodu, culminating in the 2018 arrest of Fatai Adebayo, represent a significant episode in Nigeria’s recent social history. The case demonstrates how occult belief and criminal activity can intersect to create terror and social disruption. Law enforcement interventions disrupted the cult’s operations, but underlying social vulnerabilities persist. Continuous vigilance, community engagement, and social investment are essential to prevent recurrence.
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Author’s Note
Arrests and shrine demolition curtailed ritual killings, restored a measure of security, and highlight the importance of community collaboration, effective policing, and addressing socio-economic vulnerabilities to prevent cult-related violence.
References
- “Police arrest Badoo’s high priest, destroy shrine”, The Guardian, 3 January 2018.
- “Breaking: Police arrest Badoo cult leader, chief herbalist”, Vanguard News, 2 January 2018.
- “Security forces arrest 133 suspected Badoo cult members in Ikorodu”, The Guardian, 13 July 2017.
