The police in Bayelsa State, on Sunday, assured that they were making an effort to rescue the abducted state High Court judge, E.G. Umokoro.

Gunmen, reportedly dressed in police uniform, abducted Mr Umokoro in Yenagoa, the state capital, on Saturday evening.

After firing sporadic shots to scare people at opposite Ekeki Motor Park, the gunmen whisked the judge away to an unknown destination, according to a News Agency of Nigeria report.

The police in an earlier statement said the judge was abducted from his car at a fast food outlet.

In an update on Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in Bayelsa, Francis Alonyenu, said the gunmen were not police operatives.

Mr Alonyenu said Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa has directed all security agencies to redouble efforts to locate, rescue the judge and deal decisively with the hoodlums behind the abduction.

“The Bayelsa Police Command is fussing efforts with other security agencies and reviewing video clips, with other digital footages, related to the event.

“We have well-formatted crime mapping sketches that are aiding ongoing law enforcement efforts being mustered in the rescue efforts.

“Guarantees are herewith given that this singular incident should not orchestrate any mistrust between the Bayelsa public and security forces within the state.

“The support of Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, and the good people of the state has enhanced our capacity and determination to ensure that justice is rescued unhurt,” the police commissioner stated.

Mr Alonyenu assured that security measures were being upscaled to drive the command’s law and order management strategies and find a solution to the incident.

“At this point, it is also important to appeal to members of the public to desist from any attempt to obstruct or hinder ongoing measures put in place for the rescue of the Hon. Justice.

“We call on your support and understanding in this regard, please,” he added.

Abduction for ransom has become one of the prevalent crimes in many Nigerian cities, with just anyone, including clerics and students, being an easy target.

The Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, Daniel Onyishi, was abducted recently by gunmen. He was later freed.

There are cases where some Nigerians fake their abduction to extort relatives.