…Three suspects arrested, three others on the run
The Abducted Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro is breathing the air of freedom again after twelve days in the kidnappers den.
Reports say the Judge was released from captivity without payment of ransom following days of joint Police Tactical operations led by the Commander of the Operation Puff Adder, Mr. Chris Nwaogbo.
The Judge was kidnapped by masked gunmen on Saturday June 21, 2025 at about 7pm in front of a popular eatery in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa.
The suspected kidnappers had last Saturday reportedly demanded an equivalent of three hundred million Naira in foreign currency for his release.
The Bayelsa State Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, announced on Thursday night that the abducted Judge was rescued unhurt without any payment of ransom.
The visibly tired looking State High Court Judge, Justice Omukoro said at the DSS headquarters in Yenagoa that his twelve days in captivity was traumatizing, expressing gratitude to those involved in his rescue.
” I was confused in the kidnappers’ den. I still could not come to terms with the fact that I was kidnapped and kept in the forest and exposed to cold. I thank God I was rescued alive. I can’t thank God enough. It will always be an unforgettable experience for me. I thank God I came out unscathed. The kidnappers told me I should have fallen critically ill. I was exposed to cold but I prayed to God that if I come out, I will testify to his goodness.” Justice Omukoro stated.
President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Daniel Ayah, said the rescue of Justice Omukoro was a collective effort of the security agencies, the Judiciary and the State Government.
Justice Ayah pointed out that the Chief Judge of the State was disturbed with the incident, confirming that three major suspects were arrested in connection to the abduction and that the police have identified four key suspects who are still at large.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu said the joint efforts of the security agencies resulted in the rescue of the abducted judge.
The State Commissioner of Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai expressed joy over the release of the abducted judge, stating that the Bayelsa State government would continue to invest in security and work with relevant agencies to tackle criminal activities in the State.
