Rivers State Police Command has disclosed that it has recovered the skull of the late former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, Bako Angbashim, six months after he was allegedly murdered by a cult gang led by Gift Okpara, aka 2Baba in September 2023.
The State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, made the recovery of the late DPO’s skull known in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, the state capital on Wednesday.
The command noted it made significant advancements in the investigation into the incident after members of the Iceland cult gang had ambushed Angbashim, captured and decapitated his body in Odiemude community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and fled with his remains on September 8, 2023.
It explained that its unwavering commitment to resolving the heinous crime and ensuring justice to the death of the officer has yielded fruitful results as a part of his dismembered body has been recovered from a shallow grave.
In the statement, Iringe-Koko said that on Sunday, March 10, 2024, a coordinated joint operation was carried out by tactical squads from the Rivers State Police Command and personnel from the Force Intelligence Bureau.
“This 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.
“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 statement said.
The Command stated further that ongoing efforts were on the underway to locate and retrieve the remaining dismembered parts of SP Bako Angbashim’s body, suspected to have been buried at various undisclosed locations within the forest.
2Baba, the leader of the gang responsible for this heinous crime, died on February 17, 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, Cp 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”.
The Command appreciated the community members for their significant support throughout the investigation process, noting that the police will continue to prioritize the safety and security of all citizens, and they remain determined to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.
