Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Bayelsa State Police Command has arrested another key suspect in the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro, a High Court judge who was kidnapped in Yenagoa, the state capital, on June 21, 2025. The suspect, 39‑year‑old Ogbonna‑Otu Emizibo Dennis, also known as "Ogbono," was apprehended by operatives from the Inspector General’s Violent Crime Response Unit after a five‑month intelligence operation. Dennis hails from Ekeremor Local Government Area, the same community as the judge, and was captured at a well‑known eatery in Yenagoa.
Justice Omukoro reportedly recognised Dennis during a parade of suspects, confirming his involvement in the crime. Investigators linked Dennis to the kidnapping through an old‑model white Toyota Hilux, which was used to block the judge’s vehicle during the abduction. Dennis claimed he had returned the vehicle to its owner, a retired brigadier general, after using it for a driving job. However, a close relative informed the police that Dennis still possessed the Hilux at the time of the kidnapping.
Police also identified Dennis as the owner of a house on School Road in Edepie, which was allegedly used as a planning site by the kidnapping gang. The same location had been involved in the previous abduction of Aladei God Save, the owner of Ruth More Hotel. During the operation led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, officers seized a motorcycle from Dennis’s property. The motorcycle is allegedly owned by a dismissed police sergeant, Obrientele Ebiarede, who remains at large. Investigators believe the motorcycle was used to transport food and supplies to victims held at the kidnappers’ camp in the Orkaki bush, near the Rivers‑Bayelsa boundary.
Justice Omukoro was kidnapped by masked gunmen at the Kilimanjaro eatery in Ekeki, Yenagoa, on June 21, 2025. He was held captive for 12 days and released unharmed on July 3, 2025. To date, police have arrested eight suspects in connection with the case. Most of the suspects were captured in Ekeremor, and some admitted that they did not initially target the judge but took him after encountering him by chance. A senior police officer attributed the progress to the assistance of Commissioner of Police Daniel Iyamah and Inspector General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The case file has been forwarded to the Department of Public Prosecution, where prosecutors are reviewing a police recommendation to apply Section 7 of the Bayelsa State Kidnapping and Allied Offences Law, 2013. This provision permits the temporary forfeiture of the suspect’s property pending trial. The investigation continues as authorities work to bring all remaining accomplices to justice.
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