Operatives of Rivers Police Command have arrested two suspected cultists over the alleged murder of Bako Angbashim, a divisional police officer (DPO) in Ahoada, Ahoada east LGA of the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that Angbashim, a superintendent of police, was ambushed and killed in September 2023 while returning from an operation.
In response, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced a ₦100 million bounty on Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba, a wanted kidnap kingpin and leader of the Iceland cult group. Okpara was later killed in a joint security operation in February 2024.
Grace Iringe-Koko, Rivers police spokesperson, in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that Lovegod Goodluck, a resident of Ikata Community, was arrested on May 3 for being a suspected member of “2Baba’s Iceland cult group”.
Iringe-Koko added that one locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from Goodluck.
She said another police operation conducted on June 13 led to the arrest of Precious Olumini, a suspected member of the cult group, who had earlier escaped from the police.
The statement reads, “On May 3, 2025, Operatives of the command received credible information regarding the whereabouts of a notorious cultist known as Aka
“K1,” a member of the late 2Baba Iceland cult group.”
“This group was linked to the murder of late SP Bako Angbashim, the then DPO of Ahoada Division.”
“The Police Operatives swiftly stormed the suspect’s camp in Ikata Community, Ahoada East LGA, and arrested one Lovegod Goodluck, a male resident of Ikata Community. During the operation, one locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges were recovered from him.”
“In a follow-up operation on the 13th. June, 2025, at about 1730hrs, Operatives made another breakthrough, arresting one Precious Olumini, a male suspect who had earlier escaped. An English made pump-action gun and a locally made pistol were recovered from him.”
“In a follow-up operation on the 13th. June, 2025, at about 1730hrs, Operatives made another breakthrough, arresting one Precious Olumini, a male suspect who had earlier escaped. An English made pump-action gun and a locally made pistol were recovered from him.”
“During interrogation, suspects confessed to being members of the dreaded Iceland cult group that has been terrorizing Ahoada-East axis of the State.”
“Suspects and exhibits are in Police custody, investigation is currently in progress with efforts being intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover their operational weapons.”
