Four Sentenced to Death by Hanging Over Killing of Rivers State Police Officer

Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced four men to death by hanging for their involvement in the brutal murder of Superintendent of Police Bako Amgbashim, the former Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada East. The officer was ambushed in Odemude community on September 8, 2023, while returning from an anti-crime operation, and was killed in what authorities described as a meticulously planned attack. His body was reportedly mutilated, an act that provoked widespread outrage and led to intensified security operations in the region.

Investigations by the Rivers State Police Command traced the perpetrators to a syndicate engaged in cultism and violent crime across volatile communities. The trial revealed that the four men actively planned and executed the attack, while several others linked to the case were either acquitted or given lesser sentences. During proceedings, evidence presented included forensic findings, witness testimonies, and police intelligence that demonstrated the defendants’ direct involvement in the murder.

The court emphasized that the gravity of the crime, targeting a law enforcement officer dedicated to curbing crime, warranted the death penalty under Nigerian law. Families of the slain officer, as well as colleagues in the Nigeria Police Force, welcomed the judgment as a form of closure and a strong statement against attacks on security personnel. The case has also drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the Niger Delta, particularly the risks posed by armed gangs and cult groups to police officers and civilians alike.

While the four convicts retain the right to appeal the sentence in higher courts, the judgment underscores the judiciary’s firm stance on punishing crimes of extreme violence and acts targeting law enforcement officials. Security analysts note that beyond delivering justice in individual cases, such rulings serve as a deterrent to criminal syndicates operating in the region and reinforce the need for continued vigilance, intelligence-driven policing, and community engagement to prevent similar tragedies.

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