Newly Called Lawyer Escapes Kidnappers in Edo

A newly called lawyer, Peace Onyesom Udoka, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were abducted while returning from their Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, have been released and are now safe in a village near Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area, Edo State.

The sisters were kidnapped along the Abuja-Benin highway near Lokoja, Kogi State, on September 26—a route notorious for frequent abductions. Udoka, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, and the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, was last in contact with her family around noon on Friday.

The kidnappers initially demanded a N40 million ransom, later reducing it to N20 million per person. Their release followed sustained pressure from family members, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and activists, including Harrison Gwamnishu, who appealed to the Edo State Government and security agencies to intervene.

Coincidentally, Peace Udoka regained her freedom on her birthday. Gwamnishu shared the news on Facebook, saying:

“FREEDOM ON HER BIRTHDAY. Peace Onyesom Udoka and Gift Onyesom, kidnapped while returning from Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, have just been released to us at a village near Okpella. It’s been a tough journey. Details later today or tomorrow morning.”