The notorious cult leader, Gift Okpara, also known as ‘2Baba’, met his end in a joint security operation on Monday in Embrass community, Ahaoda West Local Government Area of Rivers State. His decomposing body was confirmed to have been retrieved by the police on Friday.
2Baba, the wanted Iceland cult leader, was the prime suspect in the murder of former Divisional Police Officer Bako Angbashim in Odiemudie community, Ahoada East on September 8, 2023. Angbashim was ambushed, killed, and dismembered by 2Baba’s gang, who filmed the gruesome act before fleeing with his decapitated body.
The police had been on the trail of 2Baba and his gang members following the murder of Angbashim. The Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu, explained how 2Baba’s corpse was discovered and exhumed from a shallow grave where it had been buried.
A dramatic scene unfolded when 2Baba’s body was brought to the police headquarters in Port Harcourt on Friday. Disu revealed that the police had located the shallow grave of 2Baba in Ebrass, Ahoada West, Rivers State, based on credible information. The cult leader’s body was found buried in the forest after his gang members had attempted to evade arrest.
The loyalists of 2Baba had performed a ritual before burying him, leaving behind a military camouflage at the graveside. The police were able to identify the burial site with the help of the camouflage and other items left behind by the cultists.
Disu commended the Nigerian Air Force for their support in the operation, including an aerial strike on 2Baba’s camp that resulted in significant casualties in the gang. He also thanked the Inspector General of Police and the Rivers State Governor for their support throughout the operation.
The Chairman of Ahoada West, Ben Eke, positively identified the corpse of 2Baba and commended the police for their successful operation. Businesses in the area can now thrive, and the community is relieved by the news of 2Baba’s demise.
