Murder of DPO: Police arrest six suspects, as Rivers CP deploys new DPO

The Rivers State Police Command said its operatives have arrested six suspects in connection to the gruesome murder of the Divisional Police Officer(DPO) of Ahoada East Council of Rivers State, SP Bako Angbashim, whose death occurred on Friday in Odumude Forest following an armbush by suspected Iceland cult group. This was contained in a statement signed by the Command’s Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko on Sunday, noting that the six persons were caught within the community with locally crafted pistol and various charms. According to Iringe-Koko, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Emeka along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on Saturday, September 9, at approximately 0600hrs in Odumude Community, Ahaoda East LGA, Rivers State with the objective to recover the deceased DPO’s body and conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the community. She said: “During this operation, six suspects were apprehended within the community. 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 CID, Port Harcourt. As a result of these developments, the community has been evacuated by its residents.” She, however, said a new DPO, SP Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division, adding that the DPO 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,” she said.