Police Arrest Suspected Cultists Linked to Rivers DPO Murder

Police in Rivers State have arrested two suspected cult members believed to be connected to the 2023 murder of Superintendent Bako Angbashim, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ahoada, Ahoada East Local Government Area.

Angbashim was killed in September 2023 when his team was ambushed while returning from an operation. In response to the killing, Governor Siminalayi Fubara announced a ₦100 million bounty on the prime suspect, Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba. Okpara, a notorious kidnapper and leader of the Iceland cult group, was later killed in a joint security operation in February 2024.

According to a statement issued Tuesday by the Rivers Police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, operatives arrested Lovegod Goodluck, a resident of Ikata Community, on May 3. He is suspected to be a member of the 2Baba-led Iceland cult group. During the arrest, police recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two live cartridges.

A second arrest was made on June 13, when police apprehended another suspected cultist, Precious Olumini, who had previously escaped from custody. Officers recovered an English-made pump-action gun and a locally made pistol during the operation.

The suspects reportedly confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been linked to ongoing violence and criminal activities in the Ahoada-East area. Both individuals are currently in police custody, along with the recovered weapons. Investigations are ongoing as police intensify efforts to track down other members of the gang and recover additional arms.