Kidnapped lawyer regains freedom after four days in captivity

A female lawyer, Onyesom Peace Udoka, has regained her freedom four days after she was abducted by gunmen while travelling from Abuja to Benin, Edo State.

Udoka was kidnapped on September 26, 2025, around Okene, Kogi State, along with 11 others while returning from the Call to Bar ceremony held in Abuja on September 23, 2025.

While eight of the abductees were released earlier, she remained in captivity with four others until her release on Monday. Confirming the development, Nigerian activist Harrison Gwamnishu announced the news in a post, saying: “Freedom on her birthday. Peace Onyesom Udoka and Gift Onyesom, kidnapped while returning from the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, have just been released to us at a village near Okpella. It’s a tough journey. Details later today or tomorrow morning.”