July 27, 2024
On Saturday, the Rivers State Police Command formally handed over the corpse of the slain Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, SP Bako Angbashim, to his family.
Angbashim was ambushed and killed on September 8, 2023, by a criminal gang at a hideout in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Following his death, the police launched a manhunt that resulted in the killing of the gang leader, Gift Opara, also known as 2Baba, along with several of his associates.
During a brief ceremony at the Police Officers’ Mess in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, praised Angbashim for his unwavering commitment to fighting crime.
Disu highlighted Angbashim’s significant role in apprehending the notorious criminal Boboski, who had terrorized motorists on the East-West Road’s Akwa-Ibom section.
Disu also commended Angbashim for his efforts to combat cultism and restore order in Bori and its surrounding areas during his tenure as DPO there.
His exemplary service and operational expertise were key factors in his transfer to the Ahoada Division, where he was tasked with capturing the elusive criminal, 2Baba, the police commissioner said.
Disu said: “He employed all his skills and experience to apprehend 2Baba and his associates alive, and was on the verge of a breakthrough when he met the tragic event that resulted in his murder and dismemberment.
“Following the gory incident, the command was initially unable to recover the late SP Bako Angbashim’s remains. However, we are now pleased to announce that we have successfully recovered his remains.
“Investigations into the murder of the late SP Bako Angbashim led the command to launch an assault on those responsible, 2Baba and his cohorts. The operation resulted in the neutralization of the suspects and the subsequent recovery of remains believed to be those of the late officer. To ensure closure for the bereaved family and the police, a thorough examination was conducted to confirm the identity of the recovered remains.
“In collaboration with the immediate family of the late SP Bako Angbashim, DNA samples were collected and analyzed by the Forensic Department at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos. After weeks of meticulous sample preparation and genetic matching, the results revealed a 99.99% probability that the DNA profile extracted from the recovered remains matched that of the deceased’s mother, Embegbu Angbashim, and brother, Timothy Angbashim. This conclusively confirmed that the individual whose remains were submitted for examination was indeed the late SP Bako Angbashim.
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, who kept his word and redeemed the N100 million pledge to those who provided credible information that led to the neutralization of the suspect, 2Baba, and the recovery of his corpse which was hidden by his gang members. I also want to thank the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun for his encouragement and support throughout the operation.”
On receiving the body of his brother, Dogo Agbashim expressed gratitude to the state police command for its efforts in recovering the body.
He praised the deceased for his exemplary service to the country as a police officer.
