By Jeremy Godson
The abduction of Justice Ebiyerin Goodness Omukoro which is now in its third day has attracted the outcry of the foremost Ijaw group which has appealed to Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa State to save the Ijaw nation from anguish.
The group has appealed to Gov Diri to quickly intervene to free a Justice Omukoro. The Ijaw Nation Development Group/Ijaw Peoples Assembly (INDG/PA) said it is an umbrella body of progressive Ijaw sons and daughters both at home and in the diaspora. They have thus pleaded with the Governor to make haste and bring down his entire weight in the matter to free Omukoro.
In a tersely worded petition sent to Gov Diri Monday evening signed by Chief (Dr) Ephraim Etete-Owoh, President of INDG/PA and Mrs Kemi Levi, the public relations officer (PRO), the body impressed it on Gov Diri to understand that; “This act is not only a personal attack on a distinguished Ijaw son but also a direct assault on the values we hold dear as a people: peace, order, and the rule of law.
“Your Excellency, as a father figure to the Ijaw nation and a beacon of responsive
leadership, we humbly urge you to leverage your influence and deploy all and entire necessary state machinery to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of (Hon. Justice) Omukoro.”
The petition said the Ijaw people are confident that with Diri’s intervention, justice would be served and this dark cloud would be lifted.
“Your track record in matters of security and your deep understanding of the Ijaw heartbeat assure us that this matter will receive the swift and decisive attention it deserves. We believe in your leadership and we trust that, once again, you will rise to the occasion to protect one of our finest sons and restore the dignity and safety of our people.”
In the petition titled ‘Cry for Justice and Intervention’, the Ijaw leaders noted what they called Diri’s profound respect and trust in his unwavering commitment to peace, justice, and the protection of all citizens of the Ijaw nation. They said they intended to write to bring to his attention a matter that they said has thrown their hearts into grief and distress.
“It is with great pain and urgency that we inform Your Excellency of the unfortunate and most condemnable abduction of Omukoro, a respected judicial officer and pride of the Ijaw nation. His abduction not only violates his personal liberty but sends a chilling wave across the entire justice system and society at large.”
They invoked the spirit of the Almighty to continue to grant the governor strength, wisdom, and protection in piloting the affairs of Bayelsa State and champion the cause of the Ijaw people.
Gov Diri is reported to have condemned the abduction in strong terms and warned criminal elements and their sponsors to desist, declaring that there would be no hiding place for perpetrators of such crimes, especially with the state’s investment in security infrastructure, including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.”
According to media reports, the Governor had said from the moment he was informed about the high-profile kidnap of a judge of the state high court, “I summoned security commanders and gave them a directive to ensure the judge is released alive and in good health,” Diri said.
He revealed that the kidnappers were captured on CCTV, and investigations were ongoing to uncover their identities.
“Let me tell those involved or sponsoring such criminal acts — it is time to give up. You cannot terrorise and intimidate your own people. Government has invested so much in the security sector, and the installed CCTV cameras captured footage of the incident,” he added.
The said the agony of the Omukoro’s family and kinsmen is piercing the hearts of all Ijaw sons and daughters at this very moment, and pleaded for more action.
