Cult members active in the Ahoada region of Rivers State have brutally murdered and decapitated DPO Bako Angbashim.
The event occurred on a Friday night in the Odumude Community, which is specifically located in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.
Bako, a prominent figure in the police department, is renowned for his relentless work in combating cultism, abductions, and acts of violence within the state.
The District Police Officer (DPO), who had previously served at the Bori Police Divisional Headquarters in Khana Local Government Area, successfully restored order to the region. This year, he was reassigned to Ahoada communities plagued by devilish cultists as part of a mission to eradicate the cult menace in the area.
Ahoada communities, notably Odumude, Odumereni, Odemusoma, Ihugbogo, Odieke, and several others, have been plagued by the menace of cultists. In response, the police have chosen one of their most accomplished officers, Bako, for deployment in the area
An undisclosed source residing in Odumude, where Bako tragically lost his life, bravely shared that the cult groups active in the area had issued stern warnings to residents, forbidding them from reporting criminal incidents to the authorities.
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It has come to light that Bako, upon his return to duty, placed substantial pressure on the cultists, causing the dissolution of their camps. Faced with this pressure, a number of cult leaders made the voluntary decision to surrender their weapons.
Sadly, on Friday, the cultists in the area re-grouped and returned to the forest, aided by a spiritualist, which ultimately led to the leader of the special team, Bako, losing his life.
The Rivers State Police Command has labelled this turn of events as regrettable and stressed that the wrongdoers will be held accountable.
The official statement from the command, delivered by Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police and the spokesperson, explained that Bako was killed in a forest ambush while conducting a crackdown on cultists in Ahoada.
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 sympathised with Bako’s family and the police force on the loss, stating that all efforts are on to track down the killers.
‘The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PhD, has expressed deep determination to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice. An extensive investigation is currently underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.’
‘Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident,’ the PPRO added.