The Rivers state police command has retrieved the skull of late former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada Police Division, SP Bako Angbashim.

The command’s public relations officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

The late Rivers DPO was killed in September 2023 by members of the Iceland cult gang led by Gift Okpara, nicknamed 2Baba, who was also killed on February 17, 2024.

The cult group were said to have ambushed Mr Angbashim, captured and mutilated his body in Odiemude community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state and fled with his remains on September 8, 2023.

After the gruesome act, the criminals reportedly filmed the DPO’s decapitated remains and posted it on social media.

However, the command’s spokesperson said the discovery was made on Sunday by a coordinated joint operation of its tactical squads and officers from the Force Intelligence Bureau.

She said, “This operation targeted the camp of the deceased cult leader, Gift Okpara, famously known as 2Baba, situated within the forest region of Odiemude Community in Ahoada East Local Government Area.

“During the operation, diligent search efforts led to the discovery of a burial site within the gang’s shrine, where the remains of the slain police officer, SP Bako Angbashim, were located and subsequently exhumed.

“Notably, the exhumed remains include the skull of the deceased. These recovered remains have been taken to the mortuary, where they will undergo scientific examination and genetic testing.

“These tests aim to establish the identity of the remains through a meticulous comparison with samples obtained from the late officer’s relatives.”

The police spokesperson stated that efforts are underway to find the remaining dismembered parts of Mr Angbashim’s body, suspected to have been buried at various undisclosed locations within the forest.

Assuring citizens of their safety and security, the command vowed to apprehend the remaining members of the gang.