N100m bounty placed on killers of Rivers DPO Angbashim

The murderers of Bako Angbashim, a superintendent of police in the state of Rivers, are the subject of a N100 million bounty set by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Divisional police officer (DPO) Angbashim was slain on Friday while returning from an operation in Ahoada, Ahoada east LGA of Rivers. His squad came under attack.

In a statement released on Saturday, Fubara said that security agency intelligence had connected the senior police officer's death to one Gift David Okpara Okpolowu and his criminal gang.

In Ahoada East LGA of the state, the governor claimed Okpara and his gang have set up camps there and are to blame for the rise in violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism.

“As a responsible government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our state,” the governor said.

“First, the prime suspects, Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (a.k.a. 2-Baba) and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared wanted.

“Secondly, a bounty of one hundred million (N100,000,000.00) naira is hereby placed on his head for anyone who gives useful information that would lead to his arrest and prosecution.”

The governor also suspended Cassidy Ikegbidi, a traditional ruler in the area, indefinitely for “acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities”.

The murder of Angbashim has been denounced by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who has also called for the swift capture and conviction of those responsible.

Egbetokun said the death of the DPO is not only an insult to the country but also a manifestation of a lack of patriotism and blatant criminality in a statement released by Muyiwa Adejobi, the force spokeswoman.

Any malicious acts committed against any police officer, according to the IGP, will not be taken lightly and the offenders will be brought to justice. 

Source