Police recover slain Rivers DPO’s body in forest

The Rivers State Police Command has announced the recovery of the remains of the former Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), SP Bako Angbashim, who was killed by cultists in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, March 13, 2024.

Angbashim was allegedly murdered by popular Iceland cult leader, Gift Okpara, well known as 2Baba.

The police later killed the notorious cultist two years after a N100 million bounty was placed on him.

Iringe-Koko noted that the remains of the slain DPO were recovered on Sunday, March 10, following a joint search operation led by tactical squads and personnel from the Force Intelligence Bureau.

She said: “The operation targeted the camp of the deceased cult leader located inside the forest of Odiemude community in Ahoada.

“Through diligent search efforts, a burial site within the gang’s shrine was discovered, where the remains of Angbashim were located and subsequently exhumed.

Gunmen kill policeman in Rivers

“One of the remains exhumed was the deceased skull, which has been taken to the mortuary for scientific examination and genetic testing.”

The police spokesperson stated that DNA samples would be compared with those obtained from the late officer’s relatives for identification.

Iringe-Koko added: “In addition, we are working to locate and retrieve the remaining dismembered body parts that we suspect have been buried at undisclosed locations within the forest.

“It is important to note that 2Baba, the gang leader responsible for this heinous crime, met his end on February 17 during a planned assault by the Rivers State Police Command.

“After 2Baba’s death, his gang escaped with his body, but the police successfully recovered his remains buried inside a shallow grave in Ebrass forest after a seven-day intensive search.”

The police spokesperson said a manhunt has been launched for the other members of the gang and assured of their arrest.

She, therefore, quoted the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, as commending the officers involved in the operation and thanking the residents of the area for their support.

The Star