Justice Umokoro Released After NBA's Intervention

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) in Bayelsa State  it was gathered has confirmed the release of Justice  Ebiyerin Umokoro who was abducted by Unknown Gunmren on the 22nd of June, 2025

Although the condition bof his release was still sketchy as at the time of filling this report, this was coming on the heels of the call of his release by Angiama Osigwe, the President of Nigeria Bar Association.

The President of Nigeria Bar Association Afam Osiigwe ( SAN),  had earlier Thursday  called on those who abducted  Justice Ebiyerin Umokoro to release him unconditionally.

The NBA President who was speaking on Thursday at the Office of  Justice Daniel A. Ayah, President  of customary Court of Appeal, said he was on a  solidarity visit  to register  his displeasure  over the abduction of   the Judge.

He lamented that if a judge of that magnitude can be abducted in the state capital just like that, then ordinary people are not safe.

 The NBA President had  regretted that twelve days after  His Lordship 's abduction, no news has been heard about him maintaining that his team has to be  in the state to show solidarity because " injury to one is injury to all."

"This is the twelfth day that His Lordship has been missing  and there is no sign of  him  and we thought that as members of the same family, we should come.

"The Legal Profession made it clear that in times like  this, we must all stand together  and work hand in hand  to ensure that his Lordship is released. We have come to say that such action is condemnable and that his freedom  is non+negotiable.

"This action has the tendency of putting fear in the mind of other brother judges  who may  be living the life of uncertainty.

 "We are all casualties.  In one way or the other, it affected all of  us and we will  do whatever we can to ensure that he is set free and let the culprit be brought to book so that this will serve as a deterrent to who may want to carry out such a dastardly act.

"I commend the. efforts of Security Agencies' for the  efforts they have made to ensure that he is  set free.

He said it  was unthinkable then to abduct  a lawyer talk more of a Judge adding " the judiciary of Bayelsa State and other states that have had their judges go through this faith, we are with you and we pray that God will always guide your steps  so that this  kind of thing doesn't happen ever again.

"I thought that  I should come to Bayelsa to say that we are with you  and we are equally affected.  We are very happy with the relationship between the Bar and the Bench in Bayelsa and we pray it goes beyond this in the days to come."

Responding, the President of  Customary Court of Appeal Bayelsa State, Justice Daniel A. Ayah commended the NBA for their solidarity  adding that "when this issue happened, they really took it open themselves.

I Appreciate All For Seeing To My Freedom: Justice Umokoro 

The Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin  who was abducted by Unknown Gunmren but released on Thursday evening after twelve days in captivity, has  expressed appreciation to all that participated in his rescue efforts.

Describing the last 12 days as confusing,  the abducted  judge said he was confused stating that he couldn't come to terms why he was kidnapped.

He described the twelve days in the his abductors camp as unforgettable thanking God that he came out alive 

He said:" I was  becoming confused in the kidnappers den. 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 rescued alive.

" The kidnappers told me  that I could have fallen critically ill. I was subjected to cold. I prayed to God that if I come out,I will testify to his goodness."

"I can't thank God enough. It will always be an unforgettable experience for me. I thank God I came out on hurt."

It was learnt that he was released without payment of ransom although the kidnappers .were said to have demanded  for the  sum N300 million naira in foreign currency for his release.

It was also gathered that few of the suspected kidnappers involved in the abduction were identified and traced to the Ekeremor area of the State where the abducted Judge hails from.

Some of his relations according to security sources, reached out  to the families of his abductors and threatened fire and brimestones if he is not released with immediate effects. 

But the State Director of the DSS, Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi and the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, announced on Thursday night that the abducted Judge was released without Ransome and rescued unhurt.

Speaking at the State headquarters of the DSS, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal,  Justice Daniel Ayah, said the rescue of Justice Umokoro was a collective effort of the security agencies, the Judiciary and the State Government.

He confirmed that that three major suspects were arrested in connection to the judge abduction and that the police has identified three key suspects who are still at large.

The Commissioner of Police,  Francis Idu said the joint effort of the security agencies saw to the  rescue of the abducted judge.

A source within the State Police Command also disclosed that Four key suspects have been identified over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping off Justice Umukoro.

The State Commissioner of Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai expressed joy at the release of the abducted judge, saying the rsafe release of the judge has vindicated the State Government and affirmed the State as a safe haven.

She pointed out that despite the attempts by propagandist to rubbish the efforts of the State Government in terms of investment in security, the security agencies rose up to the occasion by ensuring that he was rescued unhurt.

" It is a triumph that the security agencies are working harmoniously with the state Government. Bayelsa has invested so much in security.