Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
There is growing tension in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa state, following the abduction of a High Court 7 Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Umukoro, and a former chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) by unidentified gunmen.
The incident occurred around 7:pm near Kilimanjaro eatery at Ekeki area, a bustling suburb known for its vibrant evening activities, eyewitnesses reported that Justice Umukoro was accompanied by a relative when the assailants struck.
According to preliminary investigations the attackers masked and dressed in black, intercepted the judge’s vehicle, forcibly pulled him out, and whisked him away in another car, the sudden violence caused panic in the area, forcing pedestrians and nearby shop owners to flee in fear of sporadic shooting
As of the time of this report, the Bayelsa State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the incident,multiple attempts to reach the police public relations officer for confirmation and further information have been unsuccessful.
The motive behind the abduction remains unknown, It is unclear whether the kidnappers have contacted the victim’s family or made any ransom demands.
Though, it was learned that days before the Judge’s abduction, he delivered a daring judgement against the state government over the ownership of a land that harbours the state government water board.
Security agencies have reportedly launched a manhunt for the abductors, combing the area for clues. The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the safety of judicial officers and the broader issue of rising insecurity in Bayelsa State.
Justice Umukoro, a respected figure in the state’s judiciary, was reportedly returning from a private engagement when the abduction occurred.
