Bayelsa Judge Dragged From Eatery: Kidnappers Reveal Chilling Details Of Abduction

Suspected kidnappers of a Bayelsa State High Court judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, have given a chilling account of how they abducted him from a popular eatery in Yenagoa before transporting him to a neighbouring state.

The suspects—eight in total, comprising six men and two women—were paraded before the public on Thursday in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, alongside the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adedapo Amao.

During the parade, the suspects, now in the custody of the DSS, reportedly confessed to their involvement in the abduction.

One of the primary suspects, Justice Brodrick, a native of Ozobo community in Delta State, revealed that he was contacted by a man he referred to as “his boss” to join the criminal operation.

According to iReporter Online, Brodrick stated, “He called me on June 21 to come to Yenagoa. He also contacted John Uzi, who is here with me. I brought along my younger brother, Kelvin Olu. When we arrived, we were given uniforms and a vehicle.”

Brodrick further recounted that the gang did not have a specific target in mind.

“We left our camp and began patrolling. It was during that random movement that we saw the judge at Kilimanjaro, the eatery. We approached and abducted him right there,” he disclosed.

He admitted that the group was unaware their victim was a judge at the time of the kidnapping.

However, upon discovering that Justice Omukoro hailed from Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, they reportedly treated him with “dignity,” while still keeping him restrained.

According to iReporter Online, Brodrick said their leader—known as “General”—instructed that the judge should remain handcuffed but must be treated respectfully, being an Ijaw man like most of them.

Another suspect, John Uzi, confirmed that although he did not participate in the actual kidnapping due to illness, he was present at the camp when the judge was brought in.

The arrest of the suspects follows a multi-agency operation led by the DSS with support from the police. Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, credited the success of the operation to the close collaboration between security agencies and logistical support from Governor Douye Diri’s administration.

According to iReporter Online, Idu praised the installation of CCTV systems across key areas in the state, which played a vital role in tracking the suspects.

He emphasized that the arrest reflects the effectiveness of the state’s evolving security architecture.

Governor Diri had earlier confirmed during a State Executive Council meeting that all members of the kidnapping gang had been apprehended, with the exception of the group’s leader, who remains on the run.

Idu issued a stern warning to criminal elements, stating that Bayelsa is no longer a safe haven for illegal operations. “Let this be a message to all who intend to disrupt the peace—we are watching, and we will act,” he declared.