Rivers State notorious cultist, Gift David Okpara, also known as General 2Baba, who was declared wanted for the killing of Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ahoada, SP Bako Angbashim, has spoken out for the first time since he was accused of the act.
He denies any involvement in the heinous crime, which saw the gruesome murder and butchering of the Ahoada DPO. A video shared online by the cultists showed them toying with the body parts of the slain police officer, cajoling him for claiming to be indestructible.
Recall that the cultist was declared wanted by the police following the incident on September 8, 2023, in the Odiemude community in Ahoada East LGA of the state.
No fewer than 50 persons, including a monarch and former LG Chairman, are standing trial over the death of the gallant police officer.
Also, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, had declared 2 Baba and his gang wanted and placed an N100 million bounty on the suspected criminal about three months ago.
However, in a voicenote obtained by our correspondent early Monday morning, 2baba said he spoke to the DPO hours before his death.
“I want to inform the Rivers State Government that I bear no responsibility for the death of the DPO.
“I have chosen to remain silent about this matter until now, but I am addressing it today in response to the concerns raised by the public.
“I am surprised and have decided to let my people know that I was not involved in any harm to the DPO.
“Coincidentally, the incident occurred on a road within my community, and on the day it happened, I had a discussion with the late DPO. I wasn’t even present when the incident occurred; I was just shocked when I heard about it,” he said.
2baba also spoke on why his gang picked up arms after they were granted amnesty by the last administration, saying the opposition gang terrorizing them was not disarmed, as promised by the government.
He said, “We turned in all the rifles we had to the government, while our opposition refused to surrender theirs.
“Eventually, I realized that the government took no action against the opposition group, and I began to regret our decision to surrender our weapons.
“This created an opportunity for them to attack and kill our members. They killed my biological brother and burnt down our house. This was my annoyance so I decided to go back to carrying arms.’’
The suspect, who now claims to be a freedom fighter for Ekpeye youths, further denied involvement in kidnapping, illegal bunkering, and other crimes.
“The gunplay I went for, was not to intimidate or harm anyone. Everyone knows I am not into kidnapping and illegal oil refining business, I’m not involved in criminal activities.
“I am into business, I’m just concentrating on my dredging business, and everyone is aware that I am into dredging,” he said.
On the allegation that he and his gang were bankrolled by a certain traditional ruler, the wanted cultist also said he is self-sponsored and not bankrolled by a traditional ruler, as claimed.
