Six months after he was murdered by the suspected cult gang, the Rivers State Police Command said it has made significant progress in the investigation into the tragic killing of Superintendent Bako Angbashim, a former Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ahoada Division in Rivers State.
The command said its unwavering commitment to resolving the heinous crime and ensuring justice for the death of the officer has yielded fruitful results as a part of his dismembered body has been recovered from a shallow grave.
A statement by Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the command said “On 10 March 2024, a coordinated joint operation was carried out by tactical squads from the Rivers State Police Command and personnel from the Force Intelligence Bureau.
“The operation targeted the camp of the deceased cult leader, Gift Okpara, famously known as 2Baba, situated within the forested region of Odiemude community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.
“During the operation, diligent search efforts led to the discovery of a burial site within the gang’s shrine, where the remains of the slain Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, were located and subsequently exhumed.
“Notably, the exhumed remains include the skull of the deceased. These recovered remains have been taken to the mortuary, where they will undergo scientific examination and genetic testing.
“These tests aim to establish the identity of the remains through a meticulous comparison with samples obtained from the late officer’s relatives”.
The command noted that efforts were on to locate and retrieve the remaining dismembered parts of Superintendent Bako Angbashim’s body, suspected to have been buried at various undisclosed locations within the forest.
The statement added: “It is important to note that 2Baba, the leader of the gang responsible for this heinous crime, met his demise on 17 February 2024, during a planned assault executed by the Rivers State Police Command.
“2Baba died in Ebrass, Ahoada West Local Government Area, but unfortunately, his gang members managed to escape with his body.
“However, following an intensive seven-day search, aided by credible intelligence, Tubaba’s body was ultimately recovered from a shallow grave in the Ebrass forest.
“The Commissioner of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, on behalf of the Rivers State Police Command, commends the unwavering dedication and resolute commitment demonstrated by all the officers involved in this operation”.
