From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Fresh details have emerged surrounding the abduction of Justice E.G. Umokoro, a serving judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, who was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on Saturday evening at the Ekeki area of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Justice Umokoro was abducted around 7:00 p.m. in front of the popular eatery, Kilimanjaro, near the bustling Ekeki Motor Park. According to eyewitness accounts, the judge was in the company of his two daughters, reportedly out to buy a loaf of bread, when the assailants struck.
Widely regarded in legal circles as a bold and independent jurist, Justice Umokoro was known for personally driving himself around town, often without a security escort during off-duty hours. He is also a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yenagoa Branch, and has previously clashed with law enforcement over controversial judicial decisions—particularly rulings that led to the release of suspected kidnappers on technical legal grounds. One such ruling sparked a heated exchange between former NBA Chairman, Barr. Somina Johnbull, and the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Francis Idu.
Eyewitnesses at the scene narrated that the gunmen, numbering about four and dressed in black tactical gear resembling police combat uniforms, arrived in a white Nissan Hilux vehicle. Their faces were masked, raising immediate suspicion. Two of the men alighted from the vehicle and approached the judge’s car, where he was reportedly on a phone call. They tapped on his window, prompting him to lower it.
According to one eyewitness, one of the masked men said, “Our Oga wants to see you.” The judge, sensing something unusual, replied, “Are you aware I’m a judge? Tell your Oga to come and see me here.”
The men momentarily walked away to make calls, but soon returned, now joined by a third person. They forcefully opened the judge’s door and dragged him out, sparking a brief struggle. Bystanders, caught in a mix of confusion and fear, watched as the visibly agitated judge tried to resist the abduction.
CCTV footage from the eatery reportedly captured a military personnel who appeared to hesitate at the scene. He was seen contemplating whether to intervene, but retreated into the eatery after a warning gunshot was fired into the air by one of the kidnappers, sending panic through the area.
“There was confusion. Initially, some people thought they were operatives of the police or DSS, but there were no Uzzi rifles like DSS operatives carry, and their vests had no police identification,” said an eyewitness. “It was only after the real police arrived that we knew the earlier group were kidnappers.”
Staff of the eatery confirmed that in the scuffle, the judge’s mobile phone, ID cards, ATM cards, and other personal items fell from his pockets. Intriguingly, two mobile phones allegedly belonging to the kidnappers also dropped during the altercation.
A police source at the Ekeki Divisional Headquarters revealed that a passerby picked up the judge’s mobile phone and handed it over to authorities, aiding early investigations.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Bayelsa State Police Command, SP Mohammed Musa, confirmed the incident. He stated that the command has launched a discreet investigation into the abduction and is actively working to ensure the safe rescue of Justice Umokoro.
“The command is on top of the situation. We have commenced discreet investigations and are pursuing credible leads to uncover the identity of the perpetrators and secure the release of the judge,” Musa said.
As of press time, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction, and the whereabouts of Justice Umokoro remain unknown. Security across Yenagoa has since been heightened as the police intensify search operations.
