- Pix above: Late Supol Bako Angbashim
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Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced a N100 million bounty on one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, a.k.a. 2-Baba, and all members of his criminal gang for the brutal murder of a Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashim, in Odiemudie Community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.
Fubara placed the bounty on 2-Baba for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.
Similarly, the governor slammed an indefinite suspension on a monarch, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, for complicity in the murder.
Making this known in a statement he signed and issued on Saturday evening and made available to newsmen, the governor lamented that the monarch ceded control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their nefarious activities.
The statement reads, “On Friday, 8th September 2023, at about 7.00 pm, 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.
“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.
“Finally, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I hereby extend my profound condolences to the family of SP Bako, especially the wife and children and the State’s Police Command for this irreparable loss.
“SP Bako was a fine, brave and dutiful police officer, who gave up 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.
“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 State Online recalls that a District Police Officer namedBako Angbashin, was killed and beheaded by cult members operating in the Ahoada region of Rivers State.
The incident took place on Friday night at the Odumude Community in the state’s Ahoada East Local Government Area.
In the state’s fight against cultism, kidnapping, and murder, respected police officer Bako has made a name for himself.
This year, the police DPO was sent to Ahoada communities being terrorized by evil-minded cultists in an effort to eradicate the cultists in the area. The police DPO had previously served at Bori Police Divisional Headquarters in Khana LGA and had restored sanity to the area.
The police sent one of its top officers, Bako, to the Ahoada communities of Odumude, Odumereni, Odemusoma and Ihugbogo, among others, because they were at the mercy of cultists.
It will be recalled that a source in Odumude, where Bako was killed, revealed under the condition of anonymity that the local cultists had warned residents not to report any criminal activity in the area to security agencies.
When Bako returned to duty, it was discovered that he had increased pressure on the cultists, driving some of them out of their camps while forcing others to voluntarily give up their weapons.
The special team’s leader, Bako, was killed on Friday, however, when the local cultists reorganized and returned to the forest with the help of a spiritualist.
The Rivers State Police Command described the development as unfortunate and said that those responsible needed to be held accountable.
During an assault against cultists in Ahoada, Bako was killed in the forest during an ambush, according to the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko.
Iringe-Koko said: “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.
She condoled with the family of Bako and the police force on the loss, stating that all efforts are on to trap down the killers./SHARE THIS
- Tags: Gov Siminalayi Fubara, Grace Iringe-Koko, Supol Bako Angbashim
