In demonstration of his administration’s zero tolerance against crime, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has declared the suspected killer of a divisional police officer in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the State wanted with a N100million bounty on his head. 

In a statement he personally signed and made available to the Media on Saturday, September 9, 2023, Fubara also suspended a traditional ruler in the area, His Majesty, Eze Cassidy Ikegbidi, Eze Igbu Akoh II, for complicity.

He said based on briefing he has received from security agencies in the State, a certain Gift David Okpara Okpolowu, also known as 2-Baba, and members of his criminal gang were prime suspects in the gruesome murder of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada in Ahoada-East LGA, Bako Agbashim, a Superintendent of Police (SP) on Friday, September 9, 2023.

He pledged a N100million bounty for anyone with useful information on how to apprehend the suspects, saying that the traditional ruler is “suspended indefinitely for acts of complicity in ceding control of his territory to the notorious David Gift and his gang to freely operate and carry out their criminal activities”.

Incidentally, Eze Ikegbidi was a former Chairman of Ahoada-East LGA between 2010 and 2012, a period reported to have witnessed tranquility in criminal activities in the Orashi Region. 

The Governor accused David Gift of having “established camps in the locality and are responsible for the resurgence of violent crimes, including kidnapping and terrorism in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the State”.

He asserted that, as a responsible government, his administration “cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our State, ” reiterating the commitment of his administration to guarantee the security of lives and properties in the State.

“As a responsible Government, we cannot fold our arms and allow criminals and crimes to rear their ugly heads and thrive in any part of our State.”

“I reiterate our commitment to guaranteeing the security of all residents and assure everyone that we will do everything in our power to hunt down Gift David and his gang and bring them to justice.”

He condoled with the family of the deceased police officer and the State Police Command for the loss, describing him as “a fine, brave and dutiful officer” who paid the ultimate price for the security of others, saying he would be remembered for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.

“Finally, on behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I hereby extend my profound condolences to the family of SP Bako, especially the wife and children and the State’s Police Command for this irreparable loss.

“SP Bako was a fine, brave and dutiful police officer, who gave up his life to keep us safe and secure. He died in active service to his nation and we remember him for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. “The Government of Rivers State will not allow his family to suffer the pains of his sudden and irreplaceable loss alone as we pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.”