The Rivers State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubari has charged security agencies in the state to smoke out the killers of the late Bako Angbashim, a Superintendent of Police (SP), the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer (DPO), who was brutally murdered by some criminals at Ahoada some days ago.
He specifically tasked the security agencies to get the prime suspect (Gift Okpara Okpolowu) at all costs as a clear statement that the state was not a haven for criminals.
The governor, who briefed newsmen shortly after an emergency Security Council meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt yesterday, described the incident as unfortunate and barbaric.
He sympathised with the Nigerian Police and the family of the slain officer, vowing to make Rivers State unsafe for criminal activities.
A statement by the governor’s media aid, Boniface Onyedi, Governor Fubara, who expressed confidence in the security agencies to apprehend the culprits, said a bounty has been placed on them, pointing out that Rivers State has never been a haven for criminals”.
He said: “it is really unfortunate that in our state where we are doing everything to reduce crime rate, a group of miscreants portray the state as being unsafe, we honestly feel very sad over this incident. As a government we will not rest until whoever is responsible for this act is brought to book.
“We have gone further to show our commitment in this issue by placing a bounty on the criminals and also suspended the traditional ruler of that locality. We will do everything on our part to ensure we get to the end of this matter; we must get him at all costs. Rivers State has never and will not be a home of criminality. I believe that the calibre of men that are heading the security unit of the state will do everything within their powers to settle these matters.”
Those who attended the emergency security meeting include, 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 Polycap Emeka Nwonyi, Rivers State Commissioner of Police; the Director of the Department of State Services, Rivers State Command and Commandant Basil Igwebueze, NSCDC Commandant, Rivers State Command
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has strongly condemned the gruesome murder of a Divisional Police Officer, in charge of Ahoada Division, in Rivers State, Bako Angbashim, a Superintendent of Police (SP), who was ambushed with his men while trying to contain the bloody attack by a deadly gang of cultists in the Odumude area of Ahoada East.
The Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase in a statement, commiserated with the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Polycarp Emeka Nwonyi and the family of the slain senior Police officer on this unfortunate development especially now that the nation was gradually winning the war against criminals and criminality across the country.
The statement, which was signed by Head Press and Public Relations, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, noted that the former IGP, said the murder of the gallant officer who fought till the end to save Odumude community, would not in any way extinguish the indomitable fighting spirit of Police officers in the war against social disorders.
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Arase promised that the Commission would do everything within its constitutional powers to support and encourage the Police to ensure that the criminals are apprehended and brought to justice.
“We will stand with the Police to also ensure that there is no repeat of this barbaric act and will also encourage a proactive intelligence gathering and sharing so as to always arrest this kind of ambush,” he noted.
He said Angbashim’s death, known for his gallantry and commitment to duty, would never be in vain, adding that his colleagues should be challenged to use his death in active service as a motivation to sanitise the security environment.
The PSC Chairman also commended the Rivers State governor for his prompt action in announcing a financial reward for whoever assists in the arrest of the criminals.
Meanwhile, the police in Rivers State yesterday said they have arrested six suspects over their alleged involvement in the killing of the DPO. The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement.
According to Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, the six suspects were arrested during an operation in the community at the weekend.
The police spokesperson said the operation was conducted to recover the body of the slain DPO and as part of their on-the-spot-assessment of the community.
The Commissioner of Police Emeka Nwonyi led other operatives in the operation, she said.
“Among the items seized were a locally crafted pistol and various charms. These suspects and the confiscated items are currently under police custody and are undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Port Harcourt,” she said.
She said a new DPO, Richard Zuokumor, also a superintendent of police, has been assigned to the division.
Zuokumor visited the divisional police headquarters, accompanied by some officers from various police units in the state, according to the statement.
The police spokesperson said the new DPO has been tasked to conduct a thorough search of the area, track down all the killers of the late DPO and recover his body.
