The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Emeka Nwonyi, has said that the late Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada, Bako Angbashim, played into the hands of his killers by trusting them when they said they were ready to surrender their arms if they would be granted amnesty in return.

Nwonyi made this known during a solidarity protest by a human rights advocate, Charles Jaja, at the headquarters of the state Police Command in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The CP expressed regret that the late Angbashim was deceived by the cultists, only for him to realize their deceit in death.

Emeka said “What pains me most was the idea of him (Angbashim) believing like he kept saying that these people said they were ready to surrender their guns and come out for amnesty.

“And he played to the gallery, only to know in death that these people were rather crafty in their operation and lured him for an onslaught.”

He further stated that the cultists had touched the “lion’s tail” by killing the DPO, and that the police would not rest until they were brought to justice.

He also thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the N100m bounty placed on the prime suspect, Gift Okpara Okpolowu, and his members.

Jaja, who described Angbashim’s death as a sad incident, alleged that some politicians were sponsoring criminal gangs. He called for the identification and prosecution of such characters.

The DPO was ambushed by cultists in Odiemudie community, Ahoada East LGA during a raid on criminal hideouts.

After hours of exchange of bullets, his men ran out of ammunition and fled, leaving their boss who the state police spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said ‘stood firm’ to confront his assailants.

Unfortunately for the gallant cop, he too exhausted his bullets and was injured while trying to escape, leading to his capture, as the cultists cut of his head, arms and manhood, sang victory songs and went on to film his decapitated remains.

The police have vowed to bring the killers to justice, and the state government has also offered a reward for information leading to their arrest.