By Charles Igbo
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, shocked at the manner SP Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer, Ahoada Division, Rivers State, was gruesomely murdered, has made the sum of a N100million available to give to anybody who gives useful information for the arrest of the Leader of the cult group responsible for the atrocity.
DPO Angbashim was, on Friday, September 8, 2023, murdered in a manner which diminishes one as a human being by members of a cult group identified as Iceland, led by their leader, Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, (a.k.a 2Baba).
The DPO and his team members, including an informant, wounded in the incident, had gone for a raid at the base of very dangerous criminals in order to dislodge them. But on their way back, they ran into an ambush laid for them by the Iceland cult members and their leader. Sadly, their ammunition finished, and gave the criminals an upper hand.
The DPO’s team members retreated and escaped. But he was not that lucky. He paid the supreme price.
There are three versions of why the DPO was unable to make good his escape like the others did. While the Rivers State Police Command, in a statement, said he was fatally shot when he held his ground, and his body seized by the criminals, another version said that he suffered muscle cramps when he tried to escape, and was captured by the criminals.
But the Governor Fubara, in his statement said he was captured after he was shot, and then, murdered.
Whatever, the criminals disrespected his body. He was dismembered, including being beheaded. In the grissly video shot posted by the criminals, Angbashim’s decapitated body was strewn around, while one of the cultists, focused a torchlight on his face and taunted him.
While the Police has vowed to hunt down the killers of the DPO, and get justice, an angry Governor Fubara, moved by the dehumanisation of the DPO, raised the ante.
In a statement he signed and issued Saturday evening, the Governor declared 2-Baba wanted, and placed a N100m bounty on his head. The money would go to anybody who would give useful information which would lead to his arrest and prosecution. In same manner, the Governor declared all members of the Iceland cult group wanted. He did not spare the Traditional Ruler of the Community too. He suspended him indefinitely, for ceding the control of his Community to 2-Baba and his group.
The Governor’s statement reads: “Yesterday, 8th September. 2023, at about 7.00pm, I was briefed on the security operations around the Odiemudie Community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State, and the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, by a bunch of criminals, presently at large.
“SP Bako and his team ran into an ambush while returning from their operation where they were attacked by the criminals. Unfortunately, he was shot in the ensuing gunfire, captured, and eventually, murdered by his captors.
“Credible intelligence from the Security Agencies traced the entire incident to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (aka 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.
“Accordingly, upon the review of the entire incident and the security situation in the affected areas with the Security Agencies, we have decided on the following measures to bring the murderers of SP Bako to justice and arrest the deteriorating security situation in the Ahoada East Local Government.
“First, the prime suspects, Mr Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared wanted.
“Secondly, a bounty of one hundred million Naira (N100,000,000) is hereby placed on his head for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.
“Thirdly, His Majesty Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Aka 11, is hereby suspended indefinitely for acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities.
“I reiterate our commitment to guaranteeing the Security of all residents and assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to hunt down Gift David and his gang and bring them to justice.”
The Governor extended his condolences to the late DPO’s family, especially, his wife and children as well as the Rivers State Police Command for the DPO’s loss.
He commended the late officer. He said: “SP Bako was a fine, brave and dutiful Police officer who gave his life to keep us safe and secure. He died in active service to his nation and we remember him for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.”
Governor Fubara, also, promised that the Rivers State Government will take care of his family. He said: “The Government of Rivers State will not allow his family to suffer the pains of his sudden and irreplaceable loss alone as we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul”.
The Rivers State Police Command, in a statement signed by its Spokesperson. SP Grace Iringe-Koko, titled:
Rivers Killing: We Will Not Rest Until Justice Is Served vowed justice for the late Officer.
The statement read:
“In an unfortunate incident on 8th of September ,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 criminal blackspots in the region. The operation led to a 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.
“The criminals seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement. Efforts were made to rescue and recover the DPO’s body, with assistance sought from the Army teams stationed at FOB Base Etraco. However, the operation proved challenging due to the extremely dark conditions within the dense bush.
“The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PhD, has expressed deep determination to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice. An extensive investigation is currently underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident.”
But the Nigeria Police Force has come under heavy criticism since Bako’s grissly muder. Not a few people are asking why the ammunition the late Officer and his men took to such an operation deplete to the extent that the Police would run away. More scandalous, they said, the team, because of the sorry situation members found themselves abandoned their leader to his fate. Worse, they argue, his decapitated body could not be recovered that night from the forest where he was dumped, even with the help of the military. Yet, the criminals had enough time to video his dismembered body, and post on Social Media platforms. Why would the Police run short of ammunition during such dangerous operation?
It is not yet known if his decapitated body has now been recovered from the bush. Neither the Government nor the Police has given such information.
