Iceland Cult Members On The Run As Police Arrest Six Over Murder Of DPO In Rivers

Iceland Cult Members On The Run As Police Arrest Six Over Murder Of DPO In Rivers

Six individuals have been apprehended by the Rivers State Police Command in connection with the brutal murder of Superintendent of Police (SP) Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada East Local Council.

The attack occurred on Friday in Odumude Forest, where the DPO fell victim to an ambush by suspected members of the Iceland cult group.

Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the command, revealed this development in a statement, noting that the suspects were captured within the community and found in possession of locally crafted pistols and various charms.

The State Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on Saturday at Odumude community. The primary objectives were to recover the deceased DPO’s body and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community.

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Iringe-Koko stated, “During this operation, six suspects were apprehended. Among the items seized from them were a locally crafted pistol and various charms. These suspects are currently in police custody and undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal and Investigation Department (SCIID), Port Harcourt.”

She further revealed that a new DPO, Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division, accompanied by a unit of men from Mopol 48, one-third unit from Mopol 19, 56, and tactical teams. Their mission is to conduct a thorough search of the area, apprehend the culprits responsible for Angbashim’s demise, recover the body, and locate any operational weapons used.

Meanwhile, Governor Siminalayi Fubara held an emergency security council meeting in Government House, Port Harcourt, where he stressed the importance of apprehending the prime suspect, Gift Okpara Okpolowu, involved in the DPO’s murder by cultists. Security heads present at the meeting included senior officials from the Nigerian Army, Police, Special Operation Group, Navy, Department of State Services (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The governor emphasized that Okpolowu must be apprehended at all costs to send a clear message that Rivers State is not a sanctuary for criminals. Fubara expressed his confidence in the security agencies’ ability to arrest the culprits, stating that the bounty placed on them is available.

In addition, Solomon Arase, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) and retired Inspector General of Police (IGP), condemned the brutal murder and beheading of DPO Angbashim. He expressed condolences to the Inspector General of Police, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, and the family of the slain officer.

Arase pledged the commission’s support to the police in their efforts to apprehend and bring the criminals to justice. He emphasized that this heinous act would not diminish the indomitable spirit of police officers in their fight against social disorders.

The PSC Chairman promised to work with the police to prevent similar ambushes and encouraged proactive intelligence gathering and sharing to prevent such incidents in the future.