Fresh calls are mounting over Nigeria’s worsening insecurity following the abduction of a newly called lawyer, Onyesom Peace Udoka, and her sister along the Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
The incident happened on Friday, September 27, just days after Udoka celebrated her call to bar ceremony in Abuja on September 23. Reports online say the kidnappers are demanding a ransom of N20 million for their release.
NBA Demands Urgent Rescue
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the abduction, describing it as “distressing and unacceptable.”
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), said the ordeal highlights the dangers Nigerians face daily on the highways.
“It is heartbreaking that at a time when our nation should be celebrating the future of the legal profession, young lawyers and their families are subjected to such harrowing ordeals,” Osigwe said in a statement.
He urged the federal government and security agencies, particularly the Nigeria Police Force, to act urgently to secure Udoka’s release and intensify efforts to make Nigeria’s highways safe.
Insecurity on Highways
Highway abductions have become a recurring nightmare for travelers across Nigeria. The Lokoja-Abuja road, in particular, has long been notorious for kidnappings, with several incidents reported in recent years.
The NBA insisted that government must do more than issue promises, stressing that restoring public confidence in safety on Nigeria’s roads is non-negotiable.
Meanwhile, the families of Udoka and her sister remain in shock as hopes rise for their safe return.
