BAYELSA JUDGE REGAINS FREEDOM AFTER 12 DAYS IN CAPTIVITY

A Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice Ebieyerin Umukoro, has regained his freedom after 12 days in the kidnappers’ den. The judge was rescued on Thursday evening following a combined effort by security agencies in the state.

In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Douye Diri, Daniel Alabrah, commended the security agencies for their unrelenting pressure on the kidnappers, which eventually led to their flight and the judge’s freedom. Alabrah said Governor Diri had directed that the judge be rescued unhurt and praised the combined effort of the security agencies, particularly men of the Department of State Services (DSS), for their role in securing the judge’s release.

Governor Diri, Alabrah said, assured residents of the state of their safety and security, restating his warning to criminally-minded individuals to steer clear of Bayelsa. “The criminals, who fled due to the pressure, would be arrested and be brought to justice,” Alabrah quoted the governor as saying. Alabrah further quoted Diri as saying, “The security agencies will continue to be supported by the administration to carry out their responsibility.”
The governor called for greater support and cooperation from the people while assuring them that their security was a priority of the administration. Alabrah said Diri’s administration had invested much resources to guarantee peace and security in the state, and the security agencies would continue to be supported to carry out their duties.