Fresh Update From Rivers Emerge After 2Baba’s Denial Of Killing DPO

Fresh Update From Rivers Emerge After 2Baba’s Denial Of Killing DPO

The effort by the notorious cult leader, Gift David, widely recognized as 2Baba, to distance himself from the brutal slaying of the Ahoada East Divisional Police Officer (DPO) SP. Bako Angbasim, has triggered outrage within the state.

SP Bako met his demise on September 8, 2023, while leading an operation to the Odiemude community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.

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His assailants, belonging to the Icelander cult group, decapitated and dismembered his body, subjecting his remains to a grotesque display in a widely circulated video.

Approximately 50 individuals, including a monarch and a former LGA chairman, were apprehended by the police and charged in connection with the killing of the valiant police officer.

Despite the state police command’s persistent efforts to recover Bako’s remains, success has proven elusive.

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2Baba, the leader of the Icelander cult responsible for Bako’s killing and dismemberment, was declared a fugitive, with a N100 million bounty placed on his head by the state government.

However, faced with intensified police operations leading to the apprehension of other members of his gang and the capture of his second in command in Bayelsa State, 2Baba released a bold voice note asserting his innocence in Bako’s murder.

He claimed to have previously embraced amnesty but reverted to cultism when members of his group were targeted by a rival cult. Furthermore, he stated that he had a conversation with Bako on the ill-fated day but refrained from disclosing the details of their discussion.

He said: “I want to tell the Rivers State Government that I am not involved in anything concerning the death of DPO. I didn’t want to say anything all this while. But I decided to speak out because of the way people were talking about it.

“I was surprised and I want to tell people that I was not after the DPO and I’m not involved in his death. It is just that the incident happened in my community road. And the day it (killing) occurred I spoke with him. I and the DPO discussed. I was not even there when he was killed that day and I was shocked when I heard about the incident.

He added: “We submitted all the arms and ammunition we have, but our opposition refused to submit. And I saw that the government didn’t do anything about it. So my gang started regretting our decision to submit our arms.

“So since we longer have weapons, our rivals now used the advantage to be trailing us and killing members of my gang. They killed my younger brother of the same parents and burnt our hours. That was my annoyance and that was why I went back to gun play (crime).

“I didn’t pick up arms again for the purpose of intimidating people and causing problems. Everybody knows I was not into kidnapping, illegal bunkering or any criminal activity.

“I have just been concentrating on my business. And everybody knows that the only business I was doing was dredging. That is what I do. I am  self-sponsored and not bankrolled by a traditional ruler”.

But there was anger in Rivers over 2Baba’s claim of innocence especially among the youths of Ahoada East, who urged members of the public to disregard it.

The Public Relations Officer of Igbu Akoh Youth Congress, Hector Igageta, reiterated the allegation against 2Baba describing him as a notorious kidnapper and cultist.

He said: “If he says his hands are clean and that he is not involved in the death of Bako, he should come out openly and submit himself to the police. He should explain to the police what happened to Bako in his own community.

“He should also tell the police the person behind the series of killings of youths of Ekpeye and Akoh. He should tell the police who recently killed five persons in Odemereiyi. He hijacked people’s dredgers under duress. He should stop hiding because his days are numbered.

“We the youths will make sure that those involved in the killing of innocent persons especially that of Bako will be brought to book. No amount of distraction will stop the judiciary from doing their work. If you know that you are not involved come out. 2Baba never took any amnesty”.

The Rivers State Police command acknowledged the denial made by 2Baba in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Grace Iringe-Koko.

The police, however, asked 2Baba to come forward and present himself to the authorities to afford him the opportunity of defending himself.

The statement said: “While the police acknowledge the denial made by Gift David, it is important to emphasize that the principle of justice demands a fair hearing for all parties involved.

“The police understand the importance of listening to the other party, and it is crucial to note that everyone is considered innocent until proven otherwise. As such, the Rivers State Police Command urges Gift David Okpara, aka 2Baba, to come forward and submit himself to the authorities, providing the opportunity to present evidence that could support his claims of innocence.

“The police are committed to upholding the principles of due process and are open to receiving any information that can aid in the ongoing investigation. It is imperative for Gift David Okpara to cooperate with law enforcement to ensure a thorough and transparent resolution to this serious matter.”

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