How We Kidnapped Bayelsa Judge — Suspects Make Shocking Confession as DSS, Police Uncover Syndicate
In what has been described as a significant breakthrough in the fight against organised crime in Bayelsa State, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, have apprehended eight suspects linked to the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court.
The suspects — comprising six men and two women — were paraded on Thursday in Yenagoa by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, alongside the Director of DSS in Bayelsa, Adedapo Amao. The operation, which was discreetly coordinated by the DSS with tactical support from Abuja, culminated in the rescue of the judge and the arrest of the kidnappers.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri had on Wednesday hinted at the development during a State Executive Council meeting, revealing that all members of the kidnapping gang — except the ring leader, still at large — had been apprehended.
‘We Got Uniforms, Vehicles… Then We Grabbed Him at Kilimanjaro’ — Suspect Confesses
One of the suspects, Justice Brodrick, a native of Ozobo in Delta State, gave a chilling account of the operation, revealing that they had no specific target but seized the opportunity when they sighted the judge at a popular eatery, Kilimanjaro, in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa.
“We were mobilised from our base. My boss, who we call General, told us to head to Yenagoa on June 21. He arranged for uniforms and a vehicle,” Brodrick confessed. “We were patrolling when we saw the man [the judge]. We didn’t know he was a judge. But when we took him and he said he was Ijaw from Ekeremor, we decided to treat him better.”
Brodrick said the abductors took the judge across the state border to a secure camp, where he remained in custody. He added that although General insisted the judge be kept in handcuffs, he was not subjected to physical abuse out of what the group called “ethnic brotherhood.”
Another suspect, simply identified as John, admitted being part of the criminal network but denied taking part in the actual kidnapping, claiming he was “unwell” on the day of the operation and was only present at the hideout after the fact.
DSS Operation and Surveillance Tech Credited for Breakthrough
Commissioner Idu praised the synergy among security agencies, describing the operation as a validation of Governor Diri’s integrated security strategy, which prioritises intelligence sharing and technology deployment.
“This success shows that Bayelsa is no longer a soft spot for criminals,” Idu declared. “With the CCTV cameras deployed across major routes by the state government and logistics support provided to the DSS, we tracked and neutralised the gang within days.”
According to Idu, the DSS brought in a special tactical unit from Abuja, which coordinated surveillance, triangulated the suspects’ movements, and recovered crucial evidence that aided the arrests — including those of two female accomplices who reportedly handled logistics and communication.
Judiciary Targeted: A Dangerous New Frontier
Justice Omukoro’s abduction sent shockwaves through legal and security circles, particularly as judicial officers are rarely targeted for kidnapping in the region. Analysts warn that this incident marks a worrying escalation in the scope of criminal activities in Nigeria’s South-South region.
BRANDECONOMY INSIGHT: Stronger Prosecution Needed
While the successful rescue and arrests are commendable, the Nigerian judiciary and security forces must now ensure swift, transparent prosecution to serve as a deterrent. Legal observers insist that without strong convictions, organised crime rings will continue to view high-profile abductions as low-risk, high-reward ventures.
Meanwhile, Governor Diri, through a statement issued by his media team, reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening state security and pursuing justice for all criminal actions, particularly against members of the judiciary, civil service, and vulnerable citizens.
