Gunmen suspected to be cultists killed a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Bako Angbanshim, of the Ahoada Police Division in Rivers State, Friday evening.
The gunmen were said to have captured and killed Amgbanshin in the Odumude Area of Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state.
This is as the Rivers State command of the Nigeria Police has vowed not to rest until justice is done to the late DPO, who has been a terror to criminals and cultists for whom he made life difficult both at Ogoni and Ahoada areas where he served as DPO.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that the miscreants had laid an ambush for him while on an operation with other police officers to raid some criminal hideouts in Ahoada East.
According to a source who does not want to be mentioned for security reasons, the cultists were armed with about four sophisticated weapons and opened fire on sighting the operatives.
He said, “There was a shootout for several minutes between the DPO-led men and 2Baba-led Iceland until the operatives ran out of bullets and ammunition.”
The source said that while the other officers retreated, Angbanshim stood his ground.
It was further gathered that while DPO Angbanshim attempted to flee, he had a muscle cramp, and the cultists caught him alive and whisked him away.
A viral video that surfaced on social media on Friday night showed Angbanshin’s head, hand, and private parts separated with several deep machete cuts.
In the video, the gunmen chanted victory songs while his battered and decapitated remains littered the floor.
One of the cultists, while beaming torchlight on his face, said in Pidgin English, “DPO, finally na you be dis.
Now, how far? “You (referring to Angbanshim) do challenge Iceland. Who are those men? Iceland, are they dangerous?”
In its reaction, the Rivers State Police Command confirmed the killing of the DPO, saying it would not rest until justice was served for the slain DPO.
In a press statement Saturday morning, SP Grace Iringo-Koko, spokesperson of the command, described the incident as unfortunate.
She said, “SP Bako Angbashim, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a raid of known criminals blackspots in the region.
The operation led to the pursuit of criminals from their concealed hideouts. Tragically, as they were returning from this operation, they were ambushed by a significant number of criminals who opened fire on the brave officers.
“In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim valiantly held his ground while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat.
Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashim sustained fatal injuries, and one of his informants was also injured and is currently receiving medical care for a gunshot wound.
“The criminals seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement.
Efforts were made to rescue and recover the DPO’s body, with assistance sought from the Army teams stationed at FOB Base Etraco.
However, the operation proved challenging due to the extremely dark conditions within the dense bush.
“The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, PhD, has expressed deep determination to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice.
An extensive investigation is currently underway to uncover the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident”.
She said that DPO Angbashim displayed exemplary courage during his mission to combat criminal activities in Rivers State.
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