The Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, has charged security agencies in the state to apprehend the killers of late SP. Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who was gruesomely killed on Friday by some criminals in Odiemudie community, Ahoada Local Government Area.
This is as the River State Police Command has announced that it has arrested six suspects for the killing of the DPO.
A statement that issued yesterday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP. Grace Iringe-Koko, yesterday, said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi Nwonyi, who led the team to Odiemudie community in a bid to recover the body of the DPO, on Saturday, arrested the six persons who were sighted within the community and in possession of some dangerous weapons.
According to Iringe-Koko, “the Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi Emeka, along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at approximately 06.00hrs in Odumude community, Ahoada East LGA, Rivers State with the objective to recover the deceased DPO’s body and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community.
“During this operation, six suspects were apprehended within the community. Among the items seized were a locally crafted pistol and various charms.”
The PPRO disclosed that the suspects and the confiscated items are currently under police custody and are undergoing interrogation at the State CID, Port Harcourt.
The development, THISDAY learnt, has caused residents to fled the community for safer area, pending when the matter is finally tackled.
Iringe-Koko said that a new DPO, SP. Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division. “He is accompanied by half a unit of men from Mopol 48, one-third unit from Mopol 19, 56, and tactical teams.
“He has been tasked with a thorough search of the area, apprehension of the culprits responsible for the DPO’s demise, recovery of the body, and location of any operational weapons used. This operation will continue while the investigation remains ongoing”.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has tasked the security agencies to get the prime suspect, one Gift Okpara Okpolowu, at all cost as a clear statement that the state is not a safe haven for criminals.
Fubara gave the charge yesterday during an emergency Security Council Meeting in the Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor, who described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric, sympathised with the Nigerian Police and the family of the slain officer, and vowed to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities.
Fubara, who expressed confidence in the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, noted that N100 million bounty has been placed on them, while pointing out that Rivers State has never been a safe haven for criminals.
Those in attendance at the security meeting included Brig. Gen. E. U. Effiong, (6 Division Garrison Commander Nigerian Army) Group Captain A. H. Idris, (Commander 115, Special Operation Group), Commodore D.O.C. Igbo, (Commander NNS, Pathfinder), CP Emeka Nwonyi, (Rivers State Commissioner of Police), the Director of the Department of State Services, Rivers State Command and Commandant Basil Igwebueze, State NSCDC Commandant.