Security agencies have made some progress in trailing the kidnappers of Justice Ebiyerin Umukoro in Bayelsa State, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yenagoa branch, Somina Johnbull has hinted.
In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Johnbull stated: “We met with all the security agencies yesterday and remain in touch. We now know where these kidnappers came from, where they are, and we’ve traced their movements. They are no longer a mystery.”
Justice Umukoro, the presiding judge of High Court 7, was kidnapped on Saturday in a brazen daylight attack outside a popular eatery along the Ekeki axis of Yenagoa. Eyewitnesses reported that hooded men dressed in black blocked his vehicle using an unmarked white Hilux and fired a warning shot before abducting him.
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The shocking nature of the incident has sent tremors through the legal community, prompting an indefinite boycott of court proceedings by the NBA in Yenagoa and Sagbama. However, Johnbull emphasized that efforts are now focused not only on rescue but ensuring the judge is recovered safely.
“What we’re getting from security agencies now is a concerted effort to rescue My Lord alive. That’s the priority, and it requires strategic thinking,” he said.
Johnbull confirmed that the NBA remains in constant communication with law enforcement and is providing all necessary support for the ongoing rescue mission. He also noted that while the boycott continues, it is not intended to be indefinite.
“We hope the boycott doesn’t last long because we want My Lord to return alive,” he said.
Although there is speculation that Justice Umukoro’s recent, controversial rulings may have triggered the abduction, Johnbull cautioned against hasty conclusions.
“At this stage, our focus is on the rescue. We’re passing on all theories to the security agencies, but we can’t yet conclude why this was done. Whether it’s due to his activism or bad timing, we don’t know,” he added.
Expressing hope, Johnbull concluded, “We’re optimistic that Justice Umukoro will be brought back alive — not in weeks or days, but hopefully within hours.”
ARISENEWS
