Kidnapped lawyer regains freedom on birthday days after call-to-bar ceremony

Peace Onyesom Udoka, a newly sworn-in lawyer who was kidnapped while returning from her call-to-bar ceremony, has regained her freedom on her birthday.

Udoka and her sister, Gift Onyesom, were abducted along the Okene–Auchi road on Friday, September 26, while traveling back to Benin from Abuja after attending the ceremony on September 23.

The kidnappers had reportedly demanded a ransom of N40 million for their release.

Giving an update on Tuesday, September 30, human rights activist Harrison Gwamnishu announced that the sisters were freed and handed over to authorities in a village near Okpella. He noted that Peace’s release coincided with 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,” Gwamnishu stated in a post on his social media page.

He, however, did not disclose whether ransom was paid.