- Safiu Kehinde
The Bayelsa State Police Command has vowed to rescue abducted judge, Justice E.G. Umokoro, unhurt.
Umokoro was on Saturday abducted by gunmen alleged to be dressed in Police uniforms.
As captured in a video shared on Instagram, the gunmen had attacked the judge opposite Ekeki Motor Park, shooting sporadically to scare people as they whisked away Umokoro to an unknown destination.
Reacting to incident in a statement issued on Sunday, the Bayelsa Police Commissioner, Francis Alonyenu, clarified that the armed gunmen who abducted the judge were not policemen as perceived by members of the public.
Alonyenu explained that the state governor, Douye Diri, had directed all security agencies to redouble efforts to locate, rescue the Judge and deal decisively with the hoodlums behind the abduction.
“The Bayelsa Police Command is fussing efforts with other security agencies and reviewing video clips, with other digital footages, related to the event.
“We have well formatted crime mapping sketches that is aiding ongoing law enforcement efforts being mustered in the rescue efforts.
“Guarantees are herewith given that this singular incident, should not orchestrate any mistrust between the Bayelsa Public and security forces within the state.
“The support of Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State and the good people of the state, have enhanced our capacity and determination to ensure that the Justice is rescued unhurt,” the CP stated.
Alonyenu assured that security measures were being upscaled, to drive the command’s law and order management strategies, to find foreclosure to the incident.
“At this point, it is also important to appeal to members of the public to desist from any attempt to obstruct or hinder ongoing measures put in place for the rescue of the Hon. Justice.
“We call on your support and understanding in this regard, please,” he added.