The Rivers State Police Command, on Wednesday, said it had recovered the skull of the late former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, Bako Angbasgim, who was allegedly murdered by a cult gang led by Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba, in September last year.
It was reported last year that the Iceland cult gang ambushed Angnashim, captured and decapitated his body in Odiemude community in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state, and fled with his remains on September 8, 2023.
After the alleged gruesome murder, the miscreants filmed the DPO’s decapitated remains, mocked him, and posted the video on social media.
The spokesperson for the state police command, Grace Iringe-Koko, announced the recovery of the late DPO’s skull in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Iringe-Koko stated that the recovery was made during a joint operation by tactical squads from the command and personnel from the Force Intelligence Bureau on the camp of the killed cult kingpin.
While noting that efforts were underway to recover the remaining parts of the late Angnashim’s body, the PPRO said, “The unwavering commitment to resolving this heinous crime and ensuring justice has yielded fruitful results.”
The statement partly read, “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 the 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.”
Iringe-Koko added that the tests were to establish the identity of the remains “through a meticulous comparison with samples obtained from the late officer’s relatives.
“Furthermore, ongoing efforts are 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.”
The leader of the gang, 2Baba, who was responsible for the heinous crime, was killed on February 17, 2024, during a planned assault executed by the Rivers State Police Command in Ebrass in the Ahoada West LGA.
Days after, the police recovered the decomposing remains of the dreaded cult leader from a shallow grave in the Ebrass forest.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, on behalf of the Rivers State Police Command, commended the unwavering dedication and resolute commitment demonstrated by all the officers involved in the operation.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
