By Desmond Ejibas
Three suspects have been arrested over murder of Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, Rivers State, who was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023 an operation.
The Rivers Police Command announced the arrest of the three suspects allegedly involved in the murder of the senior police officer on Tuesday.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command said the arrest of the suspects followed credible intelligence on their whereabouts.
“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.
“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.
Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.
She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.
She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.
She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.
She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.
According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)
