The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared wanted, as well as placed a N100 million bounty on the head of one Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, the suspected killer of the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, (DPO) SP Bako Angbashim.
Also declared wanted alongside Okpolowu, better known as 2-Baba, are all members of his criminal gang, according to a statement that the governor personally signed.
Governor Fubara, yesterday, expressed grieve over the gruesome murder of the gallant, dutiful police officer by the suspected cultists in Ahoada East Local Council.
SP Angbashim fought and maintained peace in Ogoni Land, but was recently redeployed to Ahoada axis by the State Police Command to quell the growing crisis in the area before he was gunned down.
Governor Fubara in the statement assured that a N100 million would be given to anyone with useful information that would lead to the arrest of Okpolowu and his gang members.
The governor also suspended indefinitely, the traditional ruler of the community where the incident happened, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, for alleged acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to notorious Okpolowu, and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.
Part of the statement read: “Credible intelligence from the security agencies traced the entire incident to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and his criminal gang, who have established camps in the locality, and are responsible for the resurgence of violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State.
“As a responsible government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our state.
A video making the round on social media showed a slain police officer supposed to be the DPO with his head, manhood, and hands dismembered from his body, and voices heard in the background of the video suggested to be that of the cult members chanting and eulogising the prowess of the Iceland Cult group.
Confirming the incident, the Rivers State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, in a signed statement, yesterday, noted that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Emeka Nwonyi, has vowed not to rest until justice is served, noting that he will ensure diligent investigation into the incident.
The statement read in part: “In an unfortunate incident on the evening of September 8, 2023, the DPO of Ahoada Division, SP Bako Angbashim, displayed exemplary courage during a mission to combat criminal activities in the Odumude Area of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State.
“SP Bako Angbashim, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a raid of known criminals blackspots in the region. The operation led to the pursuit of criminals from their concealed hideouts. Tragically, as they were returning from this operation, they were ambushed by a significant number of criminals who opened fire on the brave officers.
“In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim valiantly held his ground, while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat. Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashim sustained fatal injuries, and one of his informants was also injured, currently receiving medical care for a gunshot wound,” she said.
