From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Fresh details have emerged regarding the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a judge of the Bayelsa State judiciary, which occurred over the weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Justice Omukoro, a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa branch, and presiding judge at Yenagoa High Court 7, was kidnapped at Kilimanjaro Eatery, opposite Ekeki Park.
Investigations revealed that Justice Omukoro had arrived in Yenagoa on Saturday evening from a function in Warri, Delta State. Accompanied by his two daughters, he visited the eatery to buy bread. While his daughters were inside, he remained in his official SUV, taking a phone call.
Gunmen, dressed in police uniforms and wearing masks, arrived at the eatery in a Nissan Hilux vehicle. Two of the assailants approached Justice Omukoro’s vehicle, tapped on the window, and signalled for him to wind down. An eyewitness confirmed that the judge complied, and the gunmen stated, “Our Oga wants to see you.” Justice Omukoro reportedly responded angrily, saying, “Are you aware I am a judge? Tell your Oga to come and see me.”
The eyewitness noted that the two gunmen returned to their vehicle and made a phone call. Minutes later, three gunmen returned, banged on the car window, forcibly opened the door, and dragged Justice Omukoro out. A viral video recorded by a bystander captured the judge struggling with his abductors, refusing to enter their vehicle. Despite the scuffle, bystanders and customers at the eatery, unaware of the judge’s identity, mistook the gunmen for policemen making an arrest.
During the struggle, Justice Omukoro’s phone and a pouch containing his ATM cards fell to the ground, along with two of the gunmen’s phones. An eyewitness collected the three phones and handed them over to the police team that arrived after the judge had been whisked away.
The Bayelsa State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, confirmed the incident, stating that the police are actively addressing the situation. Sources indicate that the top hierarchy of the Bayelsa State Police Command is furious over the incident, which has intensified pressure on security agencies amid rising insecurity in the state.
The abduction has sparked widespread outrage among residents, with many taking to social media to demand swift action from the Bayelsa State government and security agencies to address the deteriorating security situation. A group, Providence 2025, described the kidnapping as “not just an attack on one man, but a direct assault on the judiciary, law, and order in the state.”
Sources revealed that the state government has convened an emergency State Security Council meeting to address the incident.
