The Rivers State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in the investigation into the brutal killing of a senior officer, with the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly linked to the crime.
Bako Angbashim, the late Divisional Police Officer of the Ahoada Division, was gruesomely murdered and beheaded by suspected cultists in September 2023,.a shocking incident that triggered an intense statewide manhunt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the spokesperson for the State Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, announced that the suspects were apprehended following credible leads on their locations.
“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 revealed that K1, upon interrogation, disclosed details that led officers to two more suspects involved in the crime.
As a result, operatives tracked down and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, located in the Ahoada East Local Government Area. They also re-arrested Precious Olumini, a suspect who had previously escaped from police custody.
During the operation, a locally fabricated single-barrel gun and two cartridges were found in the possession of Goodluck. Meanwhile, an English-made pump-action rifle along with a locally produced pistol was recovered 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 emphasized that investigations are still ongoing and affirmed that the suspects would be prosecuted once inquiries are concluded.
In the meantime, police efforts to track down other fleeing gang members continue, with the aim of recovering more weapons and ensuring all involved face justice.
Iringe-Koko described the arrests as a “significant breakthrough” in the Command’s continued battle against cultism and violent crime in Rivers State.