Cultists terrorising Akoh kingdom and its surrounds murdered and beheaded Bako, a Superintendent of Police, on Friday, triggering a significant security breach in the area.
Following the occurrence, Governor Siminalaye Fubara, who voiced concern about the homicide, issued a N100 million bounty on the leading suspect, Gift Okpara Okpolowu, also known as 2baba.
Nwonyi Emeka, the state Police Commissioner, rushed into the area on Saturday with strong security forces in pursuit of the murderous cultists and to restore peace and normality to the volatile area.
The CP, Emeka, and his management team and tactical units on Saturday, mounted an operation in pursuit of the dare-devil killers, arresting six individuals.
In a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko expressed concern that all inhabitants of the neighbourhood had evacuated for safety.
According to Iringe-Koko:
“The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka, along with his management team and tactical units, conducted an operation on September 9, 2023 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.
“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.
“Furthermore, a new DPO, SP Zuokumor Richard, has been assigned to the division. He 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.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
