There were indications, yesterday, that a landlord in Ikorodu area of Lagos State was among several others arrested in connection with Badoo killings in the area.
The landlord (identity undisclosed) reportedly confessed during interrogation to have collected N5 million to show members of the dreaded cult gang where the victims-a fisherman, his wife and three children- were sleeping.
Some residents of Iruwen community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Vanguard: "After the incident, relatives of the deceased visited the scene and took the grinding stone to the Oba of Ikorodu, where they reported the matter and thereafter, left with the stone.
"They took the stone to Igede, Benue State, where a traditional investigation was carried out. They reported their findings to the Police, which led to the arrest of the landlord, who reportedly confessed to the crime."
Another source, who also asked to remain anonymous, told Vanguard that he attended the victims' burial rites.
He said: "I represented my community at that burial. What happened was that we heard the victim's uncle, a retired Commissioner of Police, told Police authorities that he wanted to investigate the matter.
"He sent detectives, who came to the scene of the incident, and carried out forensic investigation into the matter.
"They did video coverage of the scene and captured everything that transpired during the attack and the landlord's actions were suspicious, so they invited him for interrogation, where he confessed to the crime.
"I heard that when the attackers came, the landlord's wife saw them and wanted to shout, but her husband stopped her from alerting residents.
"He confessed during interrogation that he was paid N2.5 million as first instalment, after which the balance of N2.5 million was paid at the end of the operation."
4 arrested for false alarm
Meanwhile, four persons have been arrested by the Police in Odogunyan, Ikorodu area of Lagos State, for spreading false rumour about the activities of members of the dreaded Badoo cult that led to the vandalisation of a building and bus in the area.
The suspects were arrested, weekend, after they allegedly spread rumour that led to the vandalisation of the building at 9, Aliyu Adesanya Street, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, belonging to one Mr. Jude Nwakchukwu.
Eyewitnesses said the false rumour originated from a woman, who lives in Odokekere area of Odogunyan and two other men that also live in the neighbourhood.
The suspects allegedly misinformed residents of the area that one of the community leaders and head of a local vigi-lance team called Yago\Onyabo Boys in Odogunyan, had pencilled down Badoo suspects for monitoring.
They also reportedly claimed that during the burial of one of the victims of Badoo in his hometown in Kogi State, his relations consulted a shrine which revealed that his landlord should be held culpable over his death.
Coincidentally, the victim's family came around to evacuate the belongings of their deceased only to discover that the house was under lock and key owing to the rumour which made the landlord and his immediate family vacate the entire community for fear of the unknown.
The relatives, who could not gain access into the house, reportedly decided to force their way into the compound.
In the process, passers-by and others that heard the rumour, joined and vandalised the house.
A leader in the community, who tried to mediate without success, reportedly invited the Police from Sagamu Road Division, to the scene.
Unfortunately, before they got to the scene, the mob had succeeded in destroying the building and vandalising a bus packed in the vicinity.
When Vanguard visited the scene, the affected building was deserted, while the destroyed bus, with number plates HD 675 AAA, was seen at the scene.
Efforts to reach the affected landlord proved abortive.
When contacted, the Divisional Police Officer referred Vanguard to the state headquarters for clarification. Relatives of the suspected rumour mongers were seen loitering around trying to secure their bail.
However, it was gathered that the suspects will be transferred to the Task Force office in Oshodi for further investigations.
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