The reign of terror of Gift Okpara, widely known as ‘2Baba,’ a notorious cult leader in Rivers State, came to a definitive end in a joint security operation conducted on Monday in Embrass community, Ahoada West Local Government Area.
Confirming his demise on Friday, the police retrieved his decomposing body, marking a significant breakthrough in the pursuit of justice.
Gift Okpara, alias ‘2Baba,’ was a prime suspect in the brutal murder of a former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Division, Bako Angbashim, in Odiemudie community, Ahoada East, on September 8, 2023. Angbashim fell victim to 2Baba’s dreaded gang, which ambushed, killed, and dismembered the officer, even filming the heinous act before absconding with his decapitated body.
Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, provided insights into the operation, detailing the discovery and exhumation of 2Baba’s body from a shallow grave where his gang had clandestinely buried him. The retrieval of his corpse was met with a mild drama at the police headquarters, where scores of personnel, visitors, and journalists gathered to witness the conclusion of the manhunt for the notorious cult leader.
Disu elucidated, “On Friday, February 23, 2024, based on credible information, our tactical operatives successfully located the shallow grave of Gift Okpara, also known as 2Baba, a notorious Iceland cult leader in Ebrass, Ahoada West, Rivers State.” He further revealed the meticulous efforts undertaken to track down the burial site within the Ebrass Forest, ultimately bringing closure to the pursuit of 2Baba’s whereabouts.
The commissioner disclosed that loyalists of the deceased cult leader had performed rituals and left symbolic items at the burial site, facilitating the identification and retrieval of his body. He commended the Nigerian Air Force for their support, particularly the aerial strike on 2Baba’s camp on February 10, 2024, which significantly weakened the gang’s stronghold and enabled subsequent police operations.
Acknowledging the collaborative efforts, Disu thanked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fabura, for their unwavering support throughout the operation. Ben Eke, Chairman of Ahoada West, confirmed the identity of the deceased, expressing relief and satisfaction that justice had been served.
The demise of ‘2Baba’ marks a significant milestone in the relentless pursuit of peace and security in Rivers State, heralding a new dawn where lawlessness is met with swift and decisive action.
