They are not spirits — Ambode vows to stamp out ‘Badoo’

Akinwunmi Ambode, governor of Lagos state, has vowed that his administration would curtail the activities of the group known as ‘Badoo’ in the Ikorodu axis of the state.

Speaking while commissioning a rehabilitated fire service station in Epe axis of the state, Ambode said he did not believe that the Badoo members were spirits that could disappear.

He also promised to ensure the safe return of the students kidnapped from Lagos state Model College, Igbo Nla, Epe.

“I am deeply concerned about the issue of kidnapping in the state and also the recent development that has been happening in Ikorodu about mob action, as well as that of Badoo,” he said.

“I just want to assure residents that we are doing everything possible. We don’t run the government on the pages of the newspapers, and that is why you see that we do not make comments in the newspapers.”

He charged traditional rulers, especially those in Ikorodu, to “wake up from their slumber” and help the government to nip in the bud the rising wave of kidnappings and the Badoo menace in the state.

Ambode appealed to traditional rulers in the state to speak to the Baales in Ikorodu to assist in tackling kidnapping.

He said intelligence reports had it that some of the Baales colluded with kidnappers in remote areas.

“We have intelligence here that some of these things are coming from within and our Kabiyesis and Obas need to do something as quickly as possible to arrest the decadence,” he said.

“As far as the Badoo case is concerned, I do not believe that it has anything to do with a disappearing ghost.

“I don’t also believe that the rituals can be taking place, without some people not being behind it.

“So, I challenge all our Kabiyesis and all our traditional rulers and Baales, we must arrest this situation as quickly as possible and show that traditional value that we have always been known for and then we will continue to support you.”