By Ayo Yusuf
The Rivers State Police Command Saturday raided the Odumude Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state in an attempt to recover the mutilated body of the Divisional Police Officer, Superintendent Bako Angbashim, who was killed on Friday by suspected cultists in the area.
Although the body of Mr. Bako who was reportedly shot and decapitated by the hoodlums was never recovered, the police managed to arrest six suspects, firearms and charms in connection with the gruesome murder.
TheNewDiplomat gathered that the whole village has now been deserted following the raid which was led by the state commissioner of police, Emeka Nwonyi with his management team and some tactical units.
Yesterday, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara ordered the indefinite suspension of the Odumude monarch for complicity in the killing of Mr. Bako who ran into an ambush with his team while returning from an operation.
The governor, in a personal statement on Saturday, said, “His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, 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.”
Commiserating with the family the governor said, “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.
“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 (N100,000,000.00) naira 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 Akoh II, 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.
“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 governor also announced a N100,000,000 reward for anyone with useful information leading to Okpolowu’s arrest and prosecution.
Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, who confirmed Saturday’s raid in a statement on Sunday, said the purpose was to recover the mutilated remains of the slain DPO.
She said residents of the community ‘evacuated’ as a result of the operation which yielded a locally crafted pistol and various charms now in police custody.
Part of her statement reads, “The Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, CP Nwonyi Emeka Polycarp, along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at approximately 0600hrs in Odumude Community, Ahaoda East LGA, Rivers State with the objective to recover the deceased DPO’s body and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community.
During this operation, six suspects were apprehended within the community. Among the items seized were a locally crafted pistol and various charms.
“These suspects and the confiscated items are currently under police custody and are undergoing interrogation at the State CID, Port Harcourt. As a result of these developments, the community has been evacuated by its residents.
“Furthermore, a new DPO, SP Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division. He is accompanied by half a unit of men from Mopol 48, a one-third unit from Mopol 19, 56, and tactical teams.
“He has been tasked with a thorough search of the area, apprehension of the culprits responsible for the DPO’s demise, recovery of the body, and location of any operational weapons used,” she said
