Police declare sergeant wanted over abduction of high court judge

Police authorities in Bayelsa State have dismissed Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede over his reported involvement in the abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro of Bayelsa State High Court.

Ebiarede, an indigene of Foutorugbene community in Ekeremor Local Government Area, was also declared a deserter by the command after he reportedly absconded from duty for over 30 days.

His dismissal and declaration as a deserter were in line with Section 398(1) of the Police Act and Regulations, 2020.

According to a statement issued by the police, while a joint team comprising operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the State Police’s Operation Puff Adder has so far apprehended 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 net, has been identified as the owner of the residential property in Edepie where he was arrested.

Meanwhile, his arrest has shocked his tenants, many of whom expressed disbelief over his alleged role in the abducting Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro.

Police sources at the Bayelsa State Command, revealed 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.

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