IGP Disu Reveals How Air Force Strike Created Opening That Led to 2Baba’s Death
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has recounted how intelligence-led cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Air Force eventually paved the way for the killing of a notorious Rivers State criminal known as 2Baba.
Disu made the disclosure on Wednesday when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal S.K. Aneke, paid a courtesy visit to the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
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The meeting focused on strengthening operational cooperation between the two security agencies, particularly in intelligence gathering, aerial surveillance, joint operations and responses to terrorism, banditry, insurgency and other violent crimes.
Recalling his experience as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Disu said 2Baba and his gang operated from an extremely difficult forest terrain after killing a police officer and allegedly dismembering the victim.
According to the IGP, the gang deliberately established its hideout in a dense forest that could only be accessed after crossing two rivers, giving the criminals a tactical advantage against security forces.
He said the police subsequently gathered extensive intelligence on the group and sought assistance from the Nigerian Air Force.
The Air Force conducted reconnaissance over the area and identified movements within the criminal camp. Disu said the subsequent aerial strike killed about five members of the gang, although 2Baba himself survived the initial bombardment.
The strike, however, reportedly created panic and confusion within the camp.
Disu explained that the surviving members became increasingly concerned about aerial attacks and were distracted by the possibility of further strikes, creating an opportunity for ground forces to move against them.
“Though 2Baba was not killed in that operation, they lost about five of their men, and it caused disarray in their camp,” Disu said.
He added that the disruption enabled police operatives to assault the camp, an operation that ultimately resulted in 2Baba’s death and the arrest of other members of the gang.
The police chief commended the Nigerian Air Force for its role in the operation, stressing that stronger collaboration between the two institutions remains essential to tackling Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
Earlier, Air Marshal Aneke praised the professional relationship between the police and the Air Force and called for deeper cooperation in areas including intelligence sharing, aerial reconnaissance, tactical deployment, medical evacuation and joint training.
Disu assured the Air Force chief that the police would continue exploring new areas of cooperation to improve the effectiveness of joint security operations across the country.