August 06, (THEWILL) — The Bayelsa State Police Command has dismissed Sergeant Obrientele Ebiarede over his alleged involvement in the abduction of a State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Omukoro.
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.
While eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction, the dismissed sergeant remains at large.
A joint team from the Department of State Services and the State Police Command’s Operation Puff Adder carried out the arrests.
It was gathered that officers attached to Operation Puff Adder, led by CSP Chris Nwaogbo, raided the residence of one of the suspects, Emizibo Clement, also known as Obonor, at Edepie, where they recovered a motorcycle allegedly used by the dismissed sergeant to deliver logistics to the kidnappers.
Obonor, currently in custody, is a landlord in the Edepie area, and his arrest reportedly came as a shock to his tenants.
Police sources revealed that a signal has been sent to all state commands and the 17 Assistant Inspector General (AIG) zones to apprehend the fugitive sergeant.
Authorities have also directed the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the Police Budget Office to stop payment of his salary.
Ebiarede is said to have been receiving his salary through the Enugu State Police Command and is expected to be ejected from the police barracks.
Justice Omukoro, who was abducted in June, regained freedom after 13 days in captivity.
Although no ransom was eventually paid, his abductors had reportedly demanded N300 million in foreign currency for his release.
Bayelsa Commissioner of Police, Francis Idu, had earlier paraded eight suspects, six males and two females, in connection with the abduction.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
