Group condemns Justice Umukoro's Kidnap in Bayelsa, Urges FG to Fix Obsolete Security architecture
A human rights group, the Organisations for Human and Peoples Rights Protection (OHPRPH) has urged the Nigerian Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review and reform the country's security architecture.
The group lamented that "the high rate of armed attacks on citizens has suggested that the country's security architecture is obsolete, lacking digitally driven tactical intelligence".
This was contained in a statement signed by the national president of OHPRPH, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, Delta State on Thursday.
The statement stoutly condemned the recent abduction of Hon. Justice Ebieyerin Umukoro, a serving judge of the High Court of Bayelsa State, by yet to be identified armed men in Yenagoa.
The group stated, "Justice Umukoro is known for delivering landmark judgements on high profile cases and does not compromise his stand or accept bribe.
"It would be recalled that on Friday, June 13, 2025, Justice Umukoro sacked the Bayelsa State Waterboard Authority from the land they unlawfully acquired from a family in Okaka community in Yenagoa Local Government Area to build their offices.
"Justice Umukoro also ordered members of Fankien compound of Okaka Epie community in Yenagoa Local Government Area of the State who sued as claimants, to take immediate possession of all that parcel of land being occupied by the Waterboard Authority.
"The narratives surrounding Justice Umukoro's kidnap and the way and manner is suspicious. According to reports, gunmen wearing black uniforms, first approached the judge, demanded he should come down from his car and meet their oga inside the parked Hilux. When he refused, they shot at him but missed, before they dragged him into their car.
"This act is a threat on judiciary and a direct attack on rule of law. It is not befitting for a country that seems to practice democracy where the Judiciary are suppose to carry out their job without fear of fevour and terror".
The statement continued, "The Organisations for Human and Peoples Rights Protection is deeply saddened that the way and manner that Justice Umukoro, who is a presiding judge of High Court 7 sitting in Yenagoa was kidnapped surgest the country's security architecture is obsolete, analogue and not compatible with the constitutional role of protecting lives and property.
"The Federal Government should embark on productive security reform and move from the conventional pattern to a digitally driven tactical intelligence.
"Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri and the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Francis Idu, should take urgent and decisive action in ensuring the timely release of the judge".
Ends
