‘He wasn’t our target’ — suspects narrate how Bayelsa judge was abducted

Some of the suspects involved in the abduction of Ebiyerin Omukoro, the Bayelsa high court judge, have confessed to their role in the crime.

Omukoro was abducted on June 21 at the premises of an eatery in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa, and was reportedly moved to a neighbouring state where he was held in captivity.

Speaking on Thursday during the parade, one of the suspects, who identified himself as Justice Brodrick from the Ozobo community in Delta state, said the operation was not premeditated.

According to him, the gang was on patrol when they “stumbled on the judge” at the restaurant.

He said Omukoro was treated well after revealing that he was from Ekeremor LGA in Bayelsa.

“I was called on June 21 by my boss to come to Yenagoa. I also contacted John Uzi and my younger brother, Kelvin Olu,” he said.

“Vehicles and uniforms were provided. We left the camp and started patrolling. It wasn’t a fixed target. We saw the judge at Kilimanjaro and kidnapped him. We didn’t even know he was a judge until later.

“When he said he was Ijaw, I insisted he be treated with care. But our ‘general’ wanted him in handcuffs.”

Another suspect, who identified himself as John, said he did not participate in the abduction due to ill health but was present at the camp when the victim was brought in.

Francis Idu, the police commissioner in Bayelsa, said the breakthrough was made possible through synergy among security agencies, with support from Douye Diri, governor of the state.

Idu said a special Department of State Services (DSS) team was deployed from Abuja for the operation, which also led to the arrest of two female accomplices.

Idu said CCTV footage from cameras installed by the state government played a key role in tracking the suspects.

“This arrest shows the commitment of Governor Diri to security in Bayelsa. The confessions made by the suspects are enough warning—Bayelsa is no longer safe for criminals,” Idu said.

On Wednesday, the governor announced the arrest of the suspects during a state executive council meeting, noting that the gang leader was still at large.

Eight of the suspects, including six men and two women, were paraded in Yenagoa on Thursday by security agencies led by the commissioner of police in Bayelsa and Adedapo Amao, state director of the DSS.

The suspects are said to be in DSS custody, following the agency’s coordinated operation that led to their arrest and Omukoro’s rescue.