The notorious cult leader, Gift Okpara, also known as ‘2Baba,’ has met his end in a joint security operation in Embrass community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State. The police confirmed the retrieval of his decomposing body on Friday. Okpara, a prime suspect in the murder of a former Divisional Police Officer, Bako Angbashim, was the leader of the Iceland cult gang. The gang had ambushed, killed, and dismembered Angbashim in Odiemudie community, Ahoada East, on September 8, 2023.
Commissioner of Police Olatunji Disu explained how Okpara’s body was discovered and exhumed from a shallow grave where his gang members had buried him. The police had been on the trail of the notorious cult leader and his gang, who had filmed the gruesome murder of the former DPO.
A white Hilux vehicle transported Okpara’s decomposing body to the police headquarters in Port Harcourt, where it was displayed. Commissioner Disu stated that the discovery of the shallow grave was a result of credible information, and it took time, work, and intelligence to locate the site in the Ebrass forest.
According to Disu, the cultists performed rituals and left a military camouflage on the burial site, possibly as a mark of respect. He commended the Nigerian Air Force for its support in aerial strikes on 2Baba’s camp, leading to significant casualties in the gang. The Chairman of Ahoada West, Ben Eke, identified the corpse and praised the police for their accomplishment.
The operation against 2Baba received support from the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fabura, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. Disu expressed gratitude for the collaboration and commitment to maintaining law and order in the state.
