Police arrest abductors of Bayelsa High Court Judge

The abductors of a judge of the Bayelsa State High Court, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, have been arrested by the state command of the Nigerian Police Force.

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, disclosed this on Wednesday during the State Executive Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa.

While honouring an officer, Superintendent of Police Sentome Obi, who rejected a $17,000 bribe offered by a suspect involved in organ harvesting, Diri said everyone involved in the kidnapping had been picked up by the police except the gang leader, who is currently on the run.

He restated his warning to criminally minded individuals to steer clear of Bayelsa and emphasised his administration’s commitment to its zero-tolerance policy for crime and criminality.

He said the government had improved the security architecture in the state with the acquisition of drones for the police to fight crime, in addition to the installation of CCTV cameras in different parts of the state capital.

His words: “We have greatly improved our crime-fighting efforts using technology. In the recent kidnap of a serving judge in the state, we were able to get him released unhurt.

“We summoned the security agencies and gave them the necessary logistics. At the end of the day, all those who committed the crime were apprehended except one, that is still on the run. Bayelsa State has zero tolerance for crime and criminality.”

Diri commended the security agencies for their efforts in ensuring that the state was safe and peaceful. The Bayelsa Governor praised the gallantry, honesty and devotion of SP Obi to duty.

He said the officer, who is an indigene of the state, brought dignity and pride to the Force and to Bayelsa.

He recommended Obi to the Inspector General of Police for promotion in recognition of his gallant effort in crime fighting.

On behalf of the state government, Governor Diri announced a reward of a three-bedroom flat and a car as a mark of honour for his exemplary integrity.

He said that at a time when the Nigerian Police was grappling with image issues, Bayelsa had produced a police officer with commendable character and proved that a good name was better than riches.

According to him, “SP Obi not only made the state proud, he also bolstered the image of the Nigerian Police, and I urge other officers to emulate his shining example.”

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Idu, congratulated the government and people of the state for producing one of the most dedicated and well-groomed officers in Obi.

The police chief stressed the need for the government to invest more in boosting security towards the protection of lives and property.

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