The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested an alleged key suspect linked to the June 2015 abduction of a state High Court judge, Justice Eniyerin Omukoro.
The suspect, popularly known as “Ogbono,” is said to be a postgraduate student at a federal university. He was arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder, a special unit of the Bayelsa State Police Command, following fresh intelligence connected to the long-running investigation.
Police sources disclosed that the suspect was found in possession of an old-model white Toyota Hilux van, which was allegedly used during the abduction of the judge. Investigators believe the vehicle played a critical role in the operation that saw Justice Omukoro kidnapped from an eatery in the Ekeki area of Yenagoa on June 21, 2015.
According to the police, intelligence gathered from mobile phones mistakenly dropped at the crime scene helped link the suspect to other individuals already arrested for their alleged involvement in the abduction. Further investigations reportedly traced the suspect to properties he owns in the Edepie area of Yenagoa.
Sources said operatives of Operation Puff Adder, led by Chris Nwaogbo, had placed the properties under surveillance for some time. The suspect was eventually arrested when he visited one of the houses to serve quit notices to tenants. Although he reportedly arrived with military escorts, he was unaware that a police team was already monitoring the location.
It was also gathered that one of the properties was previously linked to the case, as police had recovered a motorcycle belonging to a dismissed police officer who is currently on the run over his alleged role in the judge’s abduction.
Justice Omukoro was held captive for 12 days before regaining his freedom, an incident that sparked national outrage at the time. The latest arrest is seen as a major breakthrough in efforts to bring all those involved in the high-profile kidnapping to justice.
