Badoo cult violence in Ikorodu, Lagos state from 2015-2018: Costs and Response Assessment

Abstract

This study assessed the social and economic costs of the activities of the “Badoo Cult” which constantly tormented parts of Ikorodu local government area of Lagos state, between 2015 and 2018, and appraised the responses of the Police and community members to the group. The study was guided by the broken window and frustration aggression theories. It utilized both quantitative and qualitative data respectively collected from 250 and 10 residents aged 18 years and above from five sampled communities. The study found that residents lived in fear and suffered social and economic loses because of the activities of the Badoo cult group. The paper underscores the importance of timely stakeholder intervention and collaboration in responding to future security challenges in the state and country.

Keywords: Badoo cult, violence, insecurity, Lagos state, Nigeria