The Rivers State Police Command says the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has redeemed the N100 million bounty on the head of a notorious cult leader, Gift Okpara, aka 2Baba, who alongside his gang members killed a Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent Bako Angbashin, in the Oduemude area of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, confirmed the development during a parade held in honour of the slain DPO at the state police headquarters on Saturday, adding that the corpse of the slain officer had been released to the family.
Disu said, “On 25 March 2024, the police killed the wanted cult leader during a raid in his hideout in the Idu-Ekpeye community in Ahoada, while his body was recovered a few days later in the Ibrass forest, in the Ahoada West Local Government Area of the state.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, who kept his word and redeemed the N100 million pledge to those who provided credible information that led to the neutralisation of the suspect, 2Baba, and the recovery of his corpse, which was hidden by his gang members. I also want to thank the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, for his encouragement and support throughout the operation”.
“He (Angbashin) was instrumental in arresting the notorious criminal, Boboski, who had terrorised motorists along the Akwa-Ibom section of the East-West Road, and restored order to Bori and its environs by eliminating all forms of cultism when he was the Divisional Police Officer in Bori”.
Disu said Angbashin’s gallantry and operational expertise led to his transfer to the Ahoada Division, where he was tasked with effecting the arrest of 2Baba.
He said, “He employed all his skills and experience to apprehend 2Baba and his associates alive and was on the verge of a breakthrough when he met the tragic event that resulted in his murder and dismemberment.
“Following the gory incident, the command was initially unable to recover the late SP Bako Angbashim’s remains. However, we are now pleased to announce that we have successfully recovered his remains”.
Receiving the casket containing the remains of the late DPO, the deceased’s elder brother, Dogo, expressed happiness that his brother served the nation meritoriously as a police officer.
He also said late Angbashin bequeathed a legacy of gallantry in the state police command and the force in general.
Dogo stated, “I’m here on behalf of the family and the good people of Nasarawa State to receive the remains of our late brother, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Angbashin.
“I thank the Rivers State Police Command, the CP in particular, and his men for their efforts to ensure that the killers of my late brother were brought to book and the extra effort to recover his body”.
