By Joy Yesufu
In a heartwarming turn of events, newly called-to-bar lawyer Peace Onyesom Udoka and her sister, Gift Onyesom, have been released after spending five days in the kidnappers den.
They were kidnapped while returning from Udoka’s Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja.
The release occurred near Okpella in the Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.
Activist Harrison Gwamnishu shared the news on Facebook on Tuesday.
The sisters were abducted on September 26, 2025, along the Abuja-Benin route, notorious for frequent kidnappings.
Udoka last communicated with her family around noon on Friday before the distressing incident.
Initially, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N40 million but later reduced it to N20 million per person for their release.
Their safe return followed significant pressure and appeals from their family, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and several activists calling on the Edo State Governor and security agencies for assistance.
Remarkably, the sisters’ release coincided with Udoka’s birthday, a detail highlighted by Gwamnishu in his post: “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.”
The family and community are relieved by their safe return and are awaiting further details about the ordeal.
