Breakthrough in Bayelsa Judge abduction case: Police arrest key suspect, recover linked vehicle

By Johnson Arua

Operatives of the newly established Inspector General of Police (IGP) Violent Crime Response Unit in Bayelsa State have arrested a principal suspect connected to the 2025 abduction of State High Court Judge, Justice E.G. Omukoro.

The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Denis, popularly known as “Ogbono” and an indigene of Ekeremor Local Government Area, was apprehended at a popular eatery in Yenagoa following months of covert surveillance on his movements and residence.

Security and judicial sources confirmed that Justice Omukoro later identified Denis during an identification parade conducted as part of ongoing investigations into the kidnapping incident.

Denis reportedly told investigators that a white Hilux van found in his possession had been returned to its owner, a retired brigadier general, after he completed a driving assignment.

However, a family member contradicted this claim, insisting he still had custody of the vehicle around the time of the abduction.

Further investigations allegedly established that the white Hilux was owned by Denis and was actively used by the kidnapping syndicate.

He was also linked to a residence along School Road in Edepie, which authorities believe served as a coordination point for the abduction of Justice Omukoro and another victim, Aladei Godsave, owner of Ruthimore Hotel.

The arrest team, led by Commander Chris Nwaogbo, also recovered a motorcycle belonging to a dismissed and wanted police sergeant.

The bike was allegedly used to supply food and other items to victims held at a forest camp in Orkaki bush, along the boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa States.

A senior police officer attributed the progress in the case to the collaboration between Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, CP Iyamah Daniel Edebor, and the IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

The unit, formerly known as Operation Puff Adder before its reconstitution, has now concluded its investigation and forwarded its case file to the Department of Public Prosecution for legal action.

A source at the Ministry of Justice disclosed that investigators have recommended the application of Section 7 of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law (2013), seeking temporary forfeiture of the suspect’s property pending the outcome of prosecution.

Justice Omukoro was abducted on June 21, 2025, in Yenagoa by armed, masked men who used a white Hilux van to block his Toyota Prado before whisking him away.

He was held for 12 days before regaining freedom unharmed on July 3, 2025.
Authorities say several suspects have since been arrested in connection with the case, including individuals picked up in Ekeremor.

Some of the suspects reportedly claimed they did not specifically target the judge but encountered him during the operation, though he was still held in captivity for nearly two weeks.