A civil society organisation, the Rivers Coalition for Human Rights (RCHR), has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to conduct a fresh investigation into the killing of the former Divisional Police Officer in-charge of Ahoada Police Division in Ahoada-East local government area of Rivers State, SP Bako Amgbashim.
Amgbashim was killed in September 2023 during exchange of gunfire with an armed cult group led by a notorious cultist, David Gift Okpara, popularly known as ‘2Baba’ at Odiemude community in Ahoada-East local government area of the state.
However, ‘2Baba’ was later killed by a joint security team during the invasion of his camp in 2024.
RCHR, in a petition to Egbetokun, which was signed by the convener, Comrade Solomon Olali; secretary, Hanna Ekadi and the investigation and advocacy officer, Jenewari Briggs, expressed displeasure over the acquittal of High Chief Cassidy Ikegbidi, by a Rivers State High Court, presided over Hon Justice Saka Aprioku.
The group said Ikegbidi was arrested by the Department of State Security (DSS) after a preliminary investigation as an accomplice of the terror gang and later handed over to the Nigeria Police who arraigned him in court.
The petition stated that between February 2016 and November 2022, no fewer than 12 prominent people from communities in Ahoada-East local government area were killed by the 2Baba-led cult group.
The RCHR also called on Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, not to allow the death of Amgbashim and other persons killed in Ahoada-East local government area to be swept under the carpet.
It said: “We call on the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara not to allow such a travesty of justice to take place under his watch.”
