The Rivers State Police Command has handed over the remains of slain Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashin, to his family.

This is also as the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has redeemed his N100m bounty pledge.

Superintendent Angbashin was until his death the DPO of Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

He was captured and dismembered by an Iceland cultist group led by its leader, Gift Okpara, popularly known as 2Baba in the Oduemude community in Ahoada East, on September 8, 2023.

Six months later, the police killed the wanted cult leader during a raid in his hideout in the Idu-Ekpeye community in Ahoada on March 25, 2024, while his body was recovered a few days later I’m Ibrass forest in Ahoada West LGA both in the state.

At the State Police headquarters, along Moscow Road on Saturday, a parade was conducted in honour of the late DPO, under the supervision of the State Commissioner, Olatunji Disu.

In his remarks, Disu noted that the late Angbashin dedicated his life to fighting crime in the state, including the arrest of a notorious cult leader in the Ogoni axis of the state identified as Boboski.

He said, “He (Angbashin) was instrumental in arresting the notorious criminal, Boboski, who had terrorised 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 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.”

He added that investigations led to the apprehension of Angbashim’s murderers.

He said, “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 neutralisation of the suspects and the subsequent recovery of remains believed to be those of the late officer. To ensure closure for the bereaved family and the Police, a thorough examination was conducted to confirm the identity of the recovered remains.”

The CP also disclosed that Fubara had redeemed the N100 million bounty he pledged on the head of the wanted cult kingpin.

He said, “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.”

Receiving the casket containing the remains of the late DPO, the deceased’s elder brother, Dogo Angbashin, expressed happiness that his brother served the nation meritoriously as a police officer.

He also said the late Angbashin bequeathed a legacy of gallantry in the State Police and the Force in general.

“I’m here on behalf of the family and the good people of Nassarawa State to receive the remains of our late brother, SO Bako Angbashin.

“I thank the Rivers State Police Command, the CP in particular and his men for its efforts to ensure that the killers of my late brother were brought to book and the extra effort to recover his body”, Dogo said. (Saturday PUNCH)

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