The Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, who was previously abuducted has finally regained freedom after 12 days in kidnappers den.
On Thursday night, at the Department of State Security’s Bayelsa State headquarters in Yenagoa, the high court judge was presented to reporters.
Recall that the high court judge who presides over High Court 7 in the state was abducted by armed men, who stormed the area in a white Hilux van, at approximately 7:00 p.m. on Saturday June 21, in front of a well-known restaurant in the Ekeki neighbourhood along the Chief Melford Okilo expressway.
Join our WhatsApp community
Reports gathered revealed that the abductors had requested a ransom of N300 million equivalent in foreign currency, but was however released without having to pay the ransom.
Additionally, it was gathered that his release came after several days of coordinated police tactical operations under the direction of Mr. Chris Nwaogbo, the Commander of Operation Puff Adder.
Omukoro’s hometown of Ekeremor Local Government Area in Bayelsa State is home to some of the individuals implicated in the kidnapping.
According to security sources, some of the judge’s relatives had contacted his kidnapers’ family and threatened to use fire and brimstone if he wasn’t released.
Newsmen were informed by Francis Idu, the commissioner of police for Bayelsa State, and Oluwatosin Ajayi, the state director of the Department of State Services, that Omukoro was unharmed and freed without a ransom.
The high court judge, who was clearly exhausted, thanked everyone who contributed to his release, stating that the last 12 days had been bewildering.
Omukoro stated: “I was confused in the kidnappers’ den. I was begining to get confused. I still could not come to terms with the fact that I was kidnapped and kept in the forest and exposed to cold. I thank God I was rescue alive.
Join our WhatsApp community
“I can’t thank God enough. It will always be an unforgettable experience for me. I thank God I came out unscathed.
“The kidnappers told me I should have fallen critically ill. I was subjected to cold. I prayed to God that if I come out, I will testify to his goodness.”
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Francis Idu, stated that the combined efforts of the security agencies led to the rescue of the high court judge.
