- Intelligence reports that gave notorious criminal away
He was dreaded. His presence exuded fear. His name sent shockwaves into the spines of residents. He led an armed terror group and enjoyed his filthy glory. He was the immediate past commander of Iceland, the notorious cult group in Ahoada. But Gift David Okpara has fallen.
Popularly known as 2Baba, he crumbled just like John Togo, Bobrisky, Don Wany and other notorious criminals before him, who became popular by spearheading gangs of armed robbery, killer squads and terrorists.
2Baba’s albatross is the incumbent Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olatunji Disu. The moment Disu, known for his non-nonsense posture to crimes, was deployed in Rivers State late last year, 2Baba and his gang of ragtag gunmen knew that the collapse of their criminal empire was a matter of time.
Undoubtedly, 2Baba’s hands were filled with allegations of criminal activities. He terrorised the communities around him. Those who stood on his way he reportedly eliminated. He imposed levies on businesses and individuals, and those who failed to pay the fines were made to bite the dust. He was linked to various kidnapping incidents involving ransoms and death of victims.
But his cup of crimes became full immediately he plotted the gruesome murder of SP Bako Angbasim. Angbasim was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ahoada. The DPO, a crime fighter, was popular for conducting all his operations barefooted. Angbasim wore no shoes even in the thick forest.
The restless Angbasim was always in the forests chasing kidnappers and destroying their camps. He brought results as he hunted down kingpins who thought they were invincible. Angbasim was posted to Ahoada to stop the activities of 2Baba and restore normalcy in the area the same way he perfectly executed a similar assignment in Ogoniland when dreaded cultists took the entire area hostage.
Ahoada became too hot for 2Baba and his gang immediately Angbasim began his operations. He marched them fire for fire and there was no relenting in his determination to stop the criminals from operating in their comfort zones. The vast forest in the area became a battleground between the gang and Angbasim-led police operatives.
But on September 8, 2023, 2Baba and his gang reportedly outsmarted Angbasim. They were said to have sold a dummy to him that they were tired of fighting and were ready to surrender their arms in exchange for amnesty. Unfortunately, Angbasim believed them and took a few armed operatives, some arms and ammunition to receive them.
However, that singular decision ended his life. The gunmen ambushed and opened fire on him in Odeimude community, Ahoada-West. The DPO exchanged fire with them and eventually exhausted his ammunition. His men begged him to retreat and run for his life, but in the process, his foot was pierced by an unknown sharp object. While his men fled, the cultists gathered around him, dragged him further into the forest and made a mince meat of his body.
In fact, they did not just kill him; they also decapitated him, mutilated his body and paraded his sensitive body parts in stupid frenzy. They filmed their offensive show and posted it online. They also made away with his body to stop the police from retrieving it.
2Baba and his gang thought it was victory for them, but that singular act became the beginning of their end. Through such senseless and provocative display, they mocked the entire security outfits in the country.
The rattled security agencies, including the police, the military and relevant stakeholders, immediately made 2Baba and his gang their operational focus. The state government wanted him dead or alive and placed a N100 million bounty on him. The police declared him wanted and engaged in multifaceted operational measures to capture him.
But when CP Disu arrived in Rivers, he adopted unique operational styles and deployed high level intelligence, marching it with sincerity of purpose as part of his strategies to bring down the criminal empire. CP Disu gathered his troops, motivated and empowered them to intensify their efforts in apprehending 2Baba and his gang.
Prior to the CP’s arrival, 2Baba’s gang had gruesomely killed five individuals, namely Charles Osu, Ogbobula Eja, Idaowukwa Felix, Paul Victor and Achinivu Saturday Edi, who they accused of collaborating with the police.
Various operations were launched against 2Baba. In one of the operations, more than 70 suspects linked to SP Bako’s murder were arrested. But 2Baba and his gang escaped arrest by running further into the forest.
There were, however, signs that his end was near as the police continued to close in on them. Many security meetings were held and Disu formed specialised teams involving the Army, Navy, Air Force, DSS and NSCDC in joint operations.
In one of the meetings, the security agencies reached a resolution. They declared in solidarity that an attack on one agency is an affront on all, reinforcing their united pursuit of justice against the perpetrators.
How 2Baba was killed
On November 28, 2023, CP Disu formed a special joint operation involving tactical units and the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to apprehend the wanted suspect and his associates. The operation was solely designed to capture those responsible for the murder of Angbashim and recover their weapons and ammunition.
On November 29, 2023, a female associate of 2Baba was arrested. The arrest was significant in intelligence gathering about the lifestyles of the wanted kingpin. On December 3, 2023, it was revealed that 2Baba frequently visited a nearby community on canoe.
Security agencies mounted two-week surveillance for an ambush, using human intelligence (HUMINT). He was said to have abruptly stopped visiting, apparently aware of the plan to catch him.
On December 6, 2023, the security agencies had another breakthrough. 2Baba’s executioner, Faithful Babinghton Joseph, was arrested at his Etche LGA hideout. He later died from a gunshot wound he sustained during his failed attempt to escape.
On December 13, 2023, another female associate of 2Baba was apprehended while on December 15th, the special team launched an attack against 2Baba but he relied on his network of informants in various communities to escape. His camp was subsequently destroyed and he relocated.
On December 23, operatives arrested a nurse and an informant, who provided information to 2Baba that reportedly led to the killing of five individuals in his community. The nurse also facilitated logistical support for 2Baba’s gang, including food, illicit drugs, water, and gathering information on police activities.
On December 31, a multi-agency attack was launched on 2Baba’s camp, resulting in his narrow escape and subsequent relocation. From January 19, 2024, operatives successfully deployed advanced technology, revolutionising their approach to the operation and gathering crucial intelligence.
On February 1, it became clear through continuous surveillance that 2Baba strategically selected a campsite with difficult terrain to stop land-based attacks. The team changed their strategy. Therefore, on February 10, the police shared essential information with the Air Force and at about 7:30pm, on the scheduled day, the Air Force executed an aerial assault on the new camp of 2Baba, inflicting heavy casualties and injuries on him and members of his gang.
But his end came on February 17. The kingpin and his gang were said to have attacked Okogbe town and Odiokwu community, destroying pipelines.
At 04:00hrs on the same day, operatives raided 2Baba’s new camp. Despite a fierce gun battle, 2Baba and his gang members escaped.
However, at about 14:00hrs, the police said intelligence confirmed 2Baba’s death after he lost consciousness and all efforts by his gang members to revive him failed. The kingpin fell on that day, but the police were still making efforts to retrieve his body.
Despite confirmations from other community sources that 2Baba was killed, most people did not believe the police. They wanted to see the body of the terrorist because they took the police claims with a pinch of salt. “Show us the dead body,” they all screamed, prompting CP Disu to launch another operation aimed at retrieving 2Baba’s remains. The operatives combed the forest in search of his body. Eventually, they found the remains in a shallow grave where it was dumped by his fleeing associates.
The fall of 2Baba was cheering news. CP Disu said yesterday that the corpse of the kingpin was discovered during what he described as a significant operation conducted by the Rivers State Police Command.
He said: “On Friday, February 23, 2024, based on credible information, our tactical operatives successfully located the shallow grave of Gift Okpara ‘M,’ also known as 2baba, a notorious Iceland cult leader in Ebrass, Ahoada West, Rivers State.
“We were able to recover the corpse of 2baba, who was responsible for the brutal murder of former DPO Ahaoda Division, late SP. Bako Angbashim on September 8, 2023, in Odumude community, Ahaoda East Local Government Area.”
CP Disu commended all stakeholders who participated directly or indirectly in various operations that led to the decimation of 2Baba’s criminal empire.
He said: “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who played a part in this operation, particularly our dedicated tactical teams and the IRT special team. I want to extend my special thanks to the Nigerian Air Force for their invaluable support.
“Their aerial strike on 2baba’s camp on February 10 resulted in significant casualties among the gang, which facilitated our subsequent operations.
“Furthermore, the Rivers State Police Command acknowledges and thanks the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fabura, for his unwavering support throughout this operation. His commitment to maintaining law and order in our state is commendable.
“I want to take this opportunity to commend the officers involved in this operation. They have shown extraordinary dedication and resilience. Their hard work and perseverance were driven by the expectations of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who sought success in bringing 2baba and his gang to justice.
“My gratitude to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his unwavering support and invaluable advice throughout this operation. His guidance and leadership have been instrumental in our efforts to combat criminality and maintain peace and security in Rivers State.
“It is crucial for our citizens to recognise the importance of collaboration and support in our fight against crime. We urge the public to continue providing us with timely and accurate information that can aid in identifying and apprehending criminals. Together, we can create a safer environment for all.
“I want to assure the residents of Rivers State that the Rivers State Police Command remains committed to the safety and security of our state. We will continue our operations to apprehend other members of 2baba’s gang and dismantle any remaining criminal networks. We call on the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.”
The police also listed the items they recovered from the camp of 2Baba as an AK47 rifle, a G3 rifle, a scorpion rifle, a double barrel locally made gun, two locally made pistols, a cut-to-size double barrel gun, a bullet proof vest, 13 pieces of dynamites, five rounds of .9mm live ammunition, army camouflage, assorted charms, a human skull and jack knife.
Jubilation over 2Baba’s killing
There was jubilation across Ahoada over the killing of 2Baba. The youths under the auspices of the Igbu Akoh Youth Congress in Ahoada East Local Government Area commended CP Disu and other security agencies over the killing.
The Public Relations Officer of Igbu Akoh Youth Congress, Hector Ekeakita, expressed optimism that the development would restore peace in the area.
He said: “We are happy. We give kudos to the Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, and other security agencies for their tireless effort from the 16th of February to 18th February, 2024, making sure that David Gift Mighty and his cohorts were brought down.
“We will not relent in working with the security agencies to give them the necessary support and information on the whereabouts of the remnants of 2Baba since he has been gunned down.
“We know peace will gradually return to Igbu Akoh and Ekpeye .We urge the youths that are still carrying guns and killing people in Ekpeye to desist. We are pleading that the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies should not stop the onslaught so that others will not take off from where 2Baba stopped, because if they don’t go into investigation of the sponsors, somebody else will still start from where 2Baba stopped.
“We will not get tired supporting the security agencies. We need peace in Ekpeye. Without peace there will be no development or prosperity.”
