Fubara Offers N100m for Information on Killers of Rivers DPO, IG Fumes

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has offered a N100 million bounty to anyone who gives useful information for the arrest of one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba), suspected to have led the armed gang that killed a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, in the state.
This is just as the acting Inspector-General of Police (IG), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has condemned the gruesome murder of the slain officer and ordered the arrest of the killers.

The Rivers State Police Command has also vowed to track the gunmen who ambushed and killed Angbanshim, in Odiemudie community, Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
SP Angbashim was killed and beheaded by suspected dreaded cultists, Friday night.
This incident has sparked outrage in the state, as Angbashim was known for his exploits against criminals in all the areas he was deployed to in the state.
THISDAY gathered that when was the DPO in Bori, Khana LGA of the state, his gallant impact tamed criminal activities in Ogoniland.
A viral video also surfaced on Friday night showing the moment the gunmen displayed his mutilated body, with his head, hands, and private parts cut off and displayed in a very gruesome manner.

The police said Angbanshim led a team of operatives to raid some criminal hideouts in the area and while returning, gunmen suspected to be cultists ambushed them.
The IG, in a statement issued yesterday by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the DPO’s murder as “utterly mindless” and “despicable”.
He stressed that such attacks on any operative of the Force would not be tolerated, as he vowed to ensure the perpetrators of the murder were apprehended and prosecuted.
The statement read: “The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, stands resolutely appalled by the cowardly and utterly mindless killing of SP Bako Angbashim, who was, at the time of his passing, the Divisional Police Officer, Ahoada Division in Rivers State.

“He noted that the despicable act is not only an attack on the Nigeria Police Force but also a blatant assault on the very fabric of law, order, and security within our nation, adding that SP Bako Angbashim was not just a police officer; but was a shield against chaos, and an embodiment of unwavering commitment to duty.
“The IGP while emphasising unequivocally that such nefarious acts against any operative of the Force will not be tolerated, assured that the relentless pursuit of justice begins immediately, and the culprits behind this heinous crime will be fiercely pursued, apprehended, and made to face the full fury of the law.
“The Inspector-General of Police extends his deepest condolences to the grieving family of SP Bako Angbashim, his dedicated colleagues, and every Nigerian who mourns the loss of a true hero in the Force’s quest for peace and security.”

Also expressing sadness over the incident, Governor Fubara declared the said Gift David Okpara Okpolowu wanted, alleging that the suspect was the leader of the criminal gang that has been terrorising the area.
He also suspended the traditional ruler of the area over his ignorance of the activities of the criminals in his area.
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 N100,000,000 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.”
Fubara however, reiterated the government’s commitment to the security of all residents and assured that they would do everything in their power to hunt down Gift David and his gang and bring them to justice.

Describing the DPO as a fine, brave, and dutiful police officer, who gave up his life to keep the people of Rivers safe and secure, the governor said: “He died in active service to his nation and we remember him for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.”
The governor added that 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.”.
Narrating the incident that led to the gruesome murder of the DPO, Rivers State Commissioner for Police, Emeka Nwonyi, said in a statement issued yesterday by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, that while the miscreants attacked the operatives, Angbanshim’s men retreated after running out of ammunition.

The statement added that the late DPO sustained fatal injuries and was captured by the gunmen who took him away, leading to his death.
The statement read, “In an unfortunate incident on the evening of September 8, 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 black spots in the region. The operation led to the 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 police stated that operatives of the Nigerian Army were contacted for assistance, but were unable to advance further into the bush due to what the statement describes as ‘extremely dark conditions within the dense bush’.

“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,” the police said.
While condoling with the family of Angbashim, the CP, however, vowed to bring the perpetrators of the act to justice

“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident,” the CP said.