The police command in Bayelsa said its operatives had apprehended eight suspects—six men and two women—involved in the bold June 21, 2025 kidnapping of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro.
The announcement was made during a public parade in Yenagoa on Thursday.
The operation was led by Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, and the State Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Adedapo Amao, following a successful rescue mission.
The suspects held in DSS custody were apprehended through a coordinated effort, though the gang’s leader remains at large, as announced by Governor Douye Diri during Wednesday’s state executive council meeting.
The governor emphasised the state’s commitment to rooting out crime, crediting the arrests to robust security measures.
Justice Brodrick, a suspect from Ozobo, Delta State, confessed to journalists that he was recruited by a man he referred to as his “boss.”
The group, equipped with uniforms and vehicles, abducted the judge from an eatery in Yenagoa’s Ekeki area and transported him to a camp in a neighbouring state.
Brodrick claimed the judge was not a planned target, saying, “We were just patrolling before we met the judge at Kilimanjaro.”
He noted that upon learning the judge was Ijaw from Ekeremor, he advocated for better treatment, despite the leader’s insistence on handcuffs.
Another suspect, John, admitted to being contacted but said he did not participate due to illness, though he was present at the camp when the judge was brought in.
Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu hailed the arrests as evidence of Governor Diri’s security policies, highlighting the role of state-installed CCTV cameras and a special DSS team from Abuja in the operation.
He warned that Bayelsa was no longer a safe haven for criminals.
The successful rescue and arrests have bolstered public confidence in the state’s security apparatus.
Local residents expressed relief at the swift action, with many praising the government’s investment in surveillance technology.
“The CCTV cameras are making a difference. Criminals can’t hide anymore,” said Yenagoa shop owner, Amaka Ebi.
Authorities are intensifying efforts to capture the gang’s leader, with Idu assuring the public that no stone will be left unturned.
The case has underscored the importance of inter-agency collaboration, with the DSS and police vowing to maintain pressure on criminal networks to ensure Bayelsa remains a safe environment for all residents.
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