Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, has directed security agencies in the state to ensure the immediate and safe release of Ebieyerin Umokoro, the abducted high court judge.
Umokoro was abducted on Saturday by some yet-to-be-identified gunmen in front of a popular eatery in the Ekeki area, along Chief Melford Okilo expressway of the state.
Speaking on Monday during a thank-you tour of Sagbama LGA, Diri said the government’s CCTV cameras captured the incident and would aid in tracking the perpetrators.
Diri warned criminal elements in Bayelsa that there would be no hiding place for them, insisting that the state government would not tolerate threats to peace and order.
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“From the moment I received news of the high-profile abduction of Justice Omukoro, I summoned all security commanders in the state. I gave them a clear directive — the judge must be rescued alive and unharmed,” the governor said.
“To those behind this act, whether you are the kidnappers or their sponsors, it is time to surrender. You cannot continue to terrorise your own people.
“We have invested heavily in security technology, and the CCTV footage will help identify everyone involved.”
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The governor commended the people of Sagbama for delivering bloc votes to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 governorship election, which secured his re-election alongside Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, his deputy.
He urged communities in Sagbama and Ekeremor in Bayelsa west senatorial district to remain united and continue to promote peaceful coexistence.
Ewhrudjakpo described Sagbama as the “PDP headquarters in Bayelsa”, noting that the LGA delivered what he called “Kano votes” in both the 2019 and 2023 polls.
The deputy governor, who hails from Sagbama, commended Seriake Dickson, former governor of the state and senator representing Bayelsa West, for supporting Diri as his successor and praised the people for their consistent loyalty to the party.
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