Fubara places N100m bounty on prime suspect 2Baba over DPO’s murder

“Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has issued a public notice declaring Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, widely known as 2Baba, as a wanted individual in connection with the brutal murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Ahoada.

The Governor has also announced a reward of N100 million for any information leading to the arrest of 2Baba, who is the alleged leader of the infamous Iceland cult group and the prime suspect in this case.

Furthermore, Governor Fubara, in a statement he personally issued on Saturday, has temporarily suspended the traditional ruler of Odiemudie community, His Majesty Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, due to allegations of involvement in ceding control of his territory to 2Baba.”

He stated:

“On the evening of September 8, 2023, at approximately 7:00 pm, I received a briefing regarding the security operations in Odiemudie Community, located in the Ahoada East Local Government Area of our state. The report detailed the horrific murder of SP Bako Angbashim, the Ahoada Divisional Police Officer, by a group of criminals who are currently evading capture.

SP Bako and his team encountered an ambush while returning from their operation, during which they were attacked by these criminals. Tragically, he was shot during the ensuing exchange of fire, subsequently taken captive, and ultimately met a tragic end at the hands of his captors.

Credible intelligence from our security agencies has linked this entire incident to an individual named Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, commonly known as ‘2-Baba,’ and his criminal gang. This group has established encampments in the area and is responsible for the surge in violent crimes, including kidnapping and acts of terrorism, within the Ahoada East Local Government Area of our state.

As a responsible government, we cannot stand idly by while criminals and criminal activities proliferate in any part of our state. Consequently, after a thorough assessment of the entire situation and the security conditions in the affected regions, in collaboration with our security agencies, we have decided to implement the following measures to ensure justice is served for the murderers of SP Bako and to curb the deteriorating security situation in the Ahoada East Local Government:

1. The primary suspect, Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu (‘2-Baba’), and all members of his criminal gang are hereby declared as wanted individuals.
2. A reward of one hundred million naira (N100,000,000.00) is hereby offered to anyone providing credible information leading to the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Gift David Okpara Okpolowu.
3. His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi Eze Igbu Akoh II, is suspended indefinitely from his position for his alleged involvement in facilitating the operation of the notorious David Gift and his gang within his territory, allowing them to carry out their criminal activities without restraint.”