Mounting concern grips Bayelsa State as Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court remains missing five days after his abduction by armed men in Yenagoa on Saturday, June 21, with Wednesday marking his birthday in captivity.
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Despite expectations from family, friends, and the legal community that kidnappers would have established communication or that security agencies would have secured his release by Sunday or Monday, no word has been received from the abductors as of Wednesday.
The prolonged silence has significantly deepened fears for Justice Omukoro’s safety, with the coincidence of his birthday adding emotional weight to an already distressing situation for his loved ones and colleagues.
Members of the Nigerian Bar Association branches in Yenagoa and Sagbama have taken to social media to celebrate the missing judge’s birthday while simultaneously calling for his safe return. The outpouring of prayers and support reflects the legal community’s solidarity during this traumatic period.
Security officials have disclosed that investigation details remain confidential to ensure thorough search operations and maximize the effectiveness of rescue efforts.
The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly condemned the abduction, characterizing it as a direct assault on Nigeria’s judicial system. NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, expressed particular alarm that the kidnappers reportedly wore law enforcement uniforms.
“We condemn this incident in strong terms, viewing it as an assault on the judiciary,” the NBA stated officially. “That a serving judge was kidnapped by persons in uniform is a further indictment of our security architecture and paints a dire image of our judicial system.”
The association emphasized that the incident reveals serious lapses in Bayelsa’s security system, noting that “the dignity of human persons is sacrosanct, especially that of a judge.”
The use of law enforcement uniforms by the abductors has raised additional concerns about potential security breaches or impersonation of legitimate officers, complicating the investigation process.
The NBA has urged the Bayelsa State Government and security agencies to intensify efforts toward Justice Omukoro’s swift release, emphasizing that the entire legal community and state judiciary stand in solidarity with his family.
The prolonged absence of Justice Omukoro has affected court proceedings and highlighted broader concerns about the safety of judicial officers in Nigeria, where attacks on legal professionals have become increasingly frequent.
As the search enters its sixth day, the prayers and hopes of the legal community, his family, and Bayelsa residents rest on the swift and safe return of Justice Omukoro.
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