The most sought cult boss in Rivers state, David Gift Opara, also known as 2Baba, is said to have been slain.
The discovery comes only a few days after the Rivers police command said that they are closing in on the suspected culprit.
2Baba has been at large for more than four months. On Saturday, February 17, 2024, he was reportedly shot dead during a joint security operation at the cult leader’s stronghold in Idu-Ekpeye, Ahoada East local government area (LGA) of Rivers state.
(1) 2Baba: Self-acclaimed freedom fighter
In November 2023, 2Baba claimed in a viral voice note that he is a liberation warrior who took up guns with members of his gang after cultists in Rivers state were given amnesty by Nyesom Wike’s administration because competing cult organizations refused to surrender their weapons. He said that cults were killing members of his group.
In his assertions, he stated: “We turned in all the rifles we had to the government, while our opposition refused to surrender theirs. “Eventually, I realised that the government took no action against the opposition groups, and I began to regret our decision to surrender our weapons.
“This created an opportunity for them to attack and kill our members. They killed my biological brother and burnt down our house. “This was my annoyance, so I decided to go back to carrying arms.’’
(2) 2Baba: Alleged member of Iceland cult group
There are several cult organizations in Nigeria. 2Baba is commonly regarded as a leading member of the Iceland cult organization. The Icelanders are one of Rivers state’s most vicious gangs, having been involved in countless assaults, killings, and other crimes. The criminals are also involved in oil bunkering and provide “security” for local politicians’ oil bunkering operations.
(3) 2Baba: Wanted for high-profile murder
2Baba and his crew reportedly murdered SP Bako Angbashim, a well-known divisional police officer (DPO) in Rivers state. Angbashim’s body was mangled, videotaped, and shared online.
The police stated that the late Angbashim was duped by dare-devil cultists who convinced him that they were eager to surrender their weapons and accept amnesty.
several Nigerians were outraged by the horrible murder of the DPO, who they said helped restore calm in several villages, and urged the command to ensure his killers were captured and prosecuted.
Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers state, proclaimed 2Baba and his crew wanted and set a N100 million bounty on their heads, which was increased to N1 million by the Rivers state police command.
(4) 2Baba: Alleged kidnapper, oil thief 2Baba was accused of kidnapping, illegal bunkering, and other crimes. However, he denied the allegations.
He said: “The gun play I went for was not to intimidate or harm anyone. Everyone knows I am not into kidnapping and illegal oil refining business. “I am not involved in criminal activities. I am into business. I am just concentrating on my dredging business, and everyone is aware that I am into dredging.”
