By Tina Amanda
The Rivers State Police Command on Saturday, July 27, 2024, held a burial procession in honor of the late Superintendent of Police, SP Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Police Division in Rivers State. SP Bako Angbashim was murdered on September 8, 2023, by suspected Iceland cult members led by David Gift, also known as 2Baba.
Commissioner of Police Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu, speaking while paying his last respect to the late SP Bako, said the deceased who died in active service was indeed a hero and served exceptionally.
CP Disu recounted late SP Bako’s tireless and operational expertise led to the arrest of notorious criminals terrorizing Ahoada, Akwa-Ibom section of the East-West Road, in Rivers State.
We are gathered here today to pay our final respects to a fallen hero, the late SP Bako Angbashim, who tirelessly served in this command and dedicated himself to eradicating crime in the state.
“He was instrumental in arresting the notorious criminal, Boboski, who had terrorized motorists along the Akwa-Ibom section of the East-West Road, and restored order to Bori and its environs by eliminating all forms of cultism when he was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Bori.
“His gallantry and operational expertise led to his transfer to the Ahoada Division, where he was tasked with effecting the arrest of a most-wanted criminal, Gift Opara, also known as 2Baba. He employed all his skills and experience to apprehend 2Baba and his associates alive and was on the verge of a breakthrough when he met the tragic event that resulted in his murder and dismemberment.
“Following the gory incident, the Command was initially unable to recover the late SP Bako Angbashim’s remains. However, we are now pleased to announce that we have successfully recovered his remains.
“Investigations into the murder of the late SP Bako Angbashim led the Command to launch an assault on those responsible, 2Baba and his cohorts. The operation resulted in the neutralization of the suspects and the subsequent recovery of remains believed to be those of the late officer”.
The Commissioner of Police further said a thorough examination was conducted to confirm the identity of the recovered remains, in order to ensure closure for the bereaved family and the Police.
“In collaboration with the immediate family of the late SP Bako Angbashim, DNA samples were collected and analyzed by the Forensic Department at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos.
“After weeks of meticulous sample preparation and genetic matching, the results revealed a 99.99% probability that the DNA profile extracted from the recovered remains matched that of the deceased’s mother, Embegbu Angbashim, and brother, Timothy Angbashim. This conclusively confirmed that the individual whose remains were submitted for examination was indeed the late SP Bako Angbashim”.
CP Disu thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for redeeming the bounty placed on the suspected notorious cultist 2Baba.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, who kept his word and redeemed the ₦100 million pledge to those who provided credible information that led to the neutralization of the suspect, 2Baba, and the recovery of his corpse which was hidden by his gang members. I also want to thank the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun PhD, NPM, for his encouragement and support throughout the operation.
“Furthermore, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Nigerian Air Force,for their timely air support. The cooperation of other sister security agencies in Rivers State also played a vital role in this operation.
“I thank the late officer’s family for their patience and perseverance, and I am relieved that they, along with the Nigeria Police, have finally found closure. I commend the men of the Command for their dedication and determination in bringing his murderers to justice.
“Lastly, I would like to thank the gentlemen of the fourth estate of the realm – the press, the residents of the State, and other stakeholders for their support during the investigations”.
Elder brother to late SP Bako, Dogo Akaso Angbashim, in an interview with newsmen, thank the Rivers State Police Command and the Commissioner of Police for the Sacrifice they made to ensure that the killers of his brother (SP Bako) are brought to book and his remains recovered.
He also thanked Rivers people for cooperating with the Police.
Our correspondent reports that there was a parade for the late DPO at Police Officers Mess Old GRA, Port Harcourt followed by senior officers paying last respects to him.
As of press time, his corpse was en route to Nassarawa State, his place of origin for burial.
