The Rivers State Police Command has vowed to track and prosecute gunmen who ambushed and killed one of its Divisional Police Officers, Bako Angbanshin, in Odumude community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state on Friday night.
The police said Angbanshin led a team of operatives to raid some criminal hideouts in the area and while returning, gunmen suspected to be cultists ambushed them.
The state Commissioner for Police, Emeka Nwonyi, said this in a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, on Saturday morning and made available to newsmen.
You will recall a viral video surfaced on Friday night showing the moment the gunmen displayed his mutilated body.
Nwonyi explained that while the miscreants attacked the operatives, Angbanshin’s men retreated after running out of ammunition.
The statement added the late DPO sustained fatal injuries and was captured by the gunmen who took him away, leading to his death.
The statement read, “In an unfortunate incident on the evening of September 8, 2023, the DPO of Ahoda Division, SP Bako Angbashim, displayed exemplary courage during a mission to combat criminal activities in the Odumude area of Ahoada East Local Government Area in Rivers State.
“SP Bako Angbashim, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a raid of known criminal black spots in the region. The operation led to a pursuit of criminals from their concealed hideouts. Tragically, as they were returning from this operation, they were ambushed by a significant number of criminals who opened fire on the brave officers.
“In the face of this adversity, SP Bako Angbashim valiantly held his ground, while his men, depleted of ammunition, made a tactical retreat.
“Regrettably, during this engagement, SP Bako Angbashim sustained fatal injuries, and one of his informants was also injured, currently receiving medical care for a gunshot wound.”
The police stated that operatives of the Nigerian Army were contacted for assistance, but were unable to advance further into the bush due to what the statement describes as ‘extremely dark conditions within the dense bush’.
“The criminals seized the body of SP Bako Angbashim, forcing the remaining officers to return to their base for reinforcement. Efforts were made to rescue and recover the DPO’s body, with assistance sought from the Army teams stationed at FOB Base Etraco.
“However, the operation proved challenging due to the extremely dark conditions within the dense bush,” the police said.
While condoling with the family of Angbashim, the CP, however, vowed to bring the perpetrators of the act to justice.
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family of SP Bako Angbashim and all those affected by this distressing incident,” the CP said.
