Police dismiss officer, declare him wanted over abduction of high court judge

The Bayelsa State Police Command has dismissed Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede over his alleged involvement in the recent abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court.

Ebiarede, who hails from Foutorugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area—the same community as the abducted judge—was also declared a deserter by the Command.

According to a statement from the police, the dismissal came under the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, after the sergeant was found to have absconded from duty for over 30 days—an offense that violates Section 398(1) of the Police Act and Regulations, 2020.

While a joint team comprising operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the State Police’s Operation Puff Adder has so far arrested eight suspects linked to the judge’s abduction, Sergeant Ebiarede remains at large.

Sources revealed that investigators from Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, raided the residence of one of the suspects, Emizibo Clement, also known as “Obonor,” in Edepie. During the operation, they recovered a motorcycle reportedly used by the dismissed officer to deliver logistics to the kidnappers.

Emizibo Clement, popularly known as Obonor, who is currently in police custody, has been identified as the owner of the residential property in Edepie where he was apprehended.

His arrest has shocked his tenants, many of whom expressed disbelief over his alleged role in the kidnapping of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of the Bayelsa State High Court.

Police sources at the Bayelsa State Command disclosed that official signals have been dispatched to all state commands and the 17 Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) zones, requesting immediate efforts to apprehend the dismissed Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede, who remains at large.

The Police High Command has also directed the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Police Budget Office to halt the payment of his salaries.

Investigations revealed that Ebiarede has been drawing his salary from the Enugu State Police Command. Authorities have been instructed to eject him from the police barracks as part of the disciplinary measures.

Justice Omukoro was abducted in June and held in captivity for 13 days before regaining his freedom. Although he was eventually released without a ransom being paid, his kidnappers had reportedly demanded N300 million in foreign currency shortly before his release.

Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, has since paraded eight suspects—comprising six men and two women—for their varying levels of involvement in the abduction.