Police DPO brutally killed by Cultists in Rivers

A District Police Officer named Bako Angbashim was killed and beheaded by cult members operating in the Ahoada region of Rivers State.

The incident took place on Friday night at the Odumude Community in the state’s Ahoada East Local Government Area.

In the state’s fight against cultism, kidnapping, and murder, respected police officer Bako has made a name for himself.

This year, the police DPO was sent to Ahoada communities being terrorized by devil-minded cultists in an effort to eradicate the cultists in the area. The police DPO had previously served at Bori Police Divisional Headquarters in Khana LGA and had restored sanity to the area.

The police sent one of its top officers, Bako, to the Ahoada communities of Odumude, Odumereni, Odemusoma and Ihugbogo, among others, because they were at the mercy of cultists.

It will be recalled that a source in Odumude, where Bako was killed, revealed under the condition of anonymity that the local cultists had warned residents not to report any criminal activity in the area to security agencies.

When Bako returned to duty, it was discovered that he had increased pressure on the cultists, driving some of them out of their camps while forcing others to voluntarily give up their weapons.

The special team’s leader, Bako, was killed on Friday, however, when the local cultists reorganized and returned to the forest with the help of a spiritualist.

The Rivers State Police Command described the development as unfortunate and said that those responsible needed to be held accountable.

During an assault against cultists in Ahoada, Bako was killed in the forest during an ambush, according to the command’s spokesperson, Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko.

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 condoled with the family of Bako and the police force on the lose, stating that all efforts are on to trap 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.