Bayelsa high court judge abducted, police launch manhunt

The Bayelsa State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of a serving judge of the State High Court, Justice E.J. Umokoro, in Yenagoa, the state capital.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Musa Mohammed, the judge was kidnapped on Saturday evening at a fast food outlet in the Ekeki area of the city.

“Justice Umokoro was abducted from his car while waiting for his daughter, who had gone into the eatery to make some purchases,” Mohammed stated.

Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants stormed the premises, firing sporadically at the car park before dragging the judge from his vehicle and forcing him into a waiting Toyota Hilux.

In response, the police said tactical units and drones have been deployed to track down the perpetrators and ensure the safe release of the victim.