The Police Command in Rivers has announced the arrest of three suspected cultists allegedly involved in the murder of a senior police officer in the state.

Bako Angbashim, former Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada Division, was captured and beheaded by suspected cultist in September 2023, prompting a statewide manhunt for the perpetrators.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the Command, disclosed on Tuesday in Port Harcourt that the arrests followed credible intelligence on the suspects’ whereabouts.

“Following actionable intelligence, operatives from the Octopus Tactical Unit successfully apprehended one of the murder suspects, known simply as K1.

“K1 is identified as a member of the Iceland cult group, formerly led by the late 2Baba, which has been linked to the killing of the late DPO, Bako Angbashim,” she said.

Iringe-Koko stated that during interrogation, K1 disclosed the identities of other accomplices, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects.

She explained that the officers subsequently tracked and arrested LoveGod Goodluck in Ikata Community, Ahoada East area, and Precious Olumini, who previously escaped from custody.

She added that the operatives recovered a locally made single-barrel gun and two cartridges from Goodluck, while an English-made pump-action rifle and a locally made pistol were seized from Olumini.

“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to being members of the Iceland cult group, which has been responsible for a series of violent crimes in the Ahoada-East axis of the state,” Iringe-Koko added.

She confirmed that investigation was ongoing and assured that the suspects would be charged to court upon conclusion.

She said that police were intensifying manhunt for the other fleeing members of the syndicate, with the goal of recovering additional weapons and ensuring they were brought to justice.

According to Iringe-Koko, the arrests represent a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing efforts to combat cultism and violent crimes across the state. (NAN)

The University of Benin has commenced discussions with the Police Service Commission (PSC) on the need to strengthen the investigative capacity of PSC personnel and operatives of the Nigeria Police through specialized training in forensic and DNA studies.

Dr Benedicta Ehanire, Public Relations Officer of the university, in a statement on Tuesday in Benin said the talks began in Abuja on Monday.

Ehanire explained that the discussions were part of the university’s strategic efforts to promote national security through academic collaboration and capacity building.

Leading the university’s delegation was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Christopher Osubor, who represented the Vice-Chancellor, Prof.

Osubor emphasised the critical role forensic and DNA training could play in modern policing, especially in solving complex criminal and civil cases.

“Leveraging forensic and DNA studies will help build a dynamic Police Force equipped with the necessary methodologies for tackling and resolving the intricate cases that arise in today’s society,” the deputy Vice-Chancellor was quoted as saying.

On his part, Prof. Eddy Ehikhamenor, Director, Centre for Forensic and DNA Studies of the university, detailed the centre’s capacity and the benefits of forensic training.

Ehikhamenor noted that with rising sophistication in criminal activity, only security personnel trained in cutting-edge forensic techniques would be able to effectively investigate and solve crimes.

In his remark, retired Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Hashimu Argungu, who is the Chairman of the PSC, expressed strong support for the collaboration.

Recalling his own training in forensics, he underscored the value such knowledge added to crime detection and oversight duties.

Argungu described the training proposal as timely and impactful, and immediately constituted a committee to work with the UNIBEN team on developing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for implementation. (NAN)

The Police Command in Anambra has foiled a cult initiation ceremony in Nawfia, Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA) of the State.

The Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

Ikenga said that the police operatives carried out the operation at about 9.

He said that during the raid, the operatives arrested six suspects, recovered one Jojef pump action gun, two cartridges and one golden coloured Lexus SUV with registration number – ATN 202 AE.

Other items recovered at the scene include two cutlasses, two scissors, one cap with inscription of the Supreme Vikings confraternity, some charms, and  substances suspected to be hard drugs.

“They are currently undergoing police interrogation to get more insight into their modus operandi, after which the case will be charged to Court on the conclusion of the investigations,” Ikenga said.

The police spokesman reassured residents that the command remains committed to combat cultism and other related crimes in the state. (NAN)