In a significant development, police operatives in Rivers State have apprehended one of the suspects connected to the brutal killing of Superintendent of Police, Mr. Bako Angbashim.
Angbashim led a raid on criminal hideouts in the Odemude community on September 8 but was ambushed and captured by a notorious cult group led by Okpara. The suspects decapitated Angbashim’s body and recorded the gruesome act.
Since the incident, the State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Emeka Nwonyi, has been actively pursuing the culprits.
Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko confirmed the arrest of one suspect, who was on the verge of being lynched by angry youths before police intervention.
“The Rivers State Police operatives on Monday, 25/09/2023 at about 19:43hrs acting on actionable information received that in Edoaha Community in Ahoada East, one of the suspects who brutally killed SP Bako Angbashim was about to be lynched to death by an angry mob,” she stated.
“Subsequently, a team of policemen swung into action to rescue the suspect who was about to be burnt with a tyre on his neck. He was rescued and brought to the station where he made a useful statement.
“He was later transferred to SCID for discreet investigation with a view to apprehend the fleeing kingpin, his gang members, and to recover their operational weapons.”
The arrested suspect, whose name remains undisclosed, is believed to be part of the gang responsible for the heinous murder of SP Bako Angbashim. The murder sparked widespread condemnation, prompting investigations and calls for the immediate arrest of the suspects by the police high command, the Federal Government, and the Rivers State Government.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State had even offered a substantial bounty of one hundred million naira for the capture of the gang’s kingpin, Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, and his criminal associates.
Furthermore, a video surfaced on the internet, apparently recorded by the suspects themselves, showcasing their celebration and self-proclaimed victory.
This video inadvertently revealed the identities of more members of the group, including the recently apprehended suspect.
