(DDM) – Relief has returned to the family of newly called lawyer, Onyesom Peace Udoka, and her sister, Gift, who were abducted while returning from the Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja.
DDM gathered that the sisters, who had left the Federal Capital Territory after the prestigious legal induction, were kidnapped on their way back home by suspected armed men.
Their abduction sparked fear and outrage, as friends and colleagues mounted pressure on security agencies to act quickly.
Family sources confirmed that they were released on Friday night after several days in captivity. Emotional scenes followed their return, with relatives thanking God for their survival.
Details remain unclear on whether ransom was paid or if their release came through coordinated security intervention.
The incident triggered widespread reactions across the legal community. Lawyers described the abduction as a sad reminder of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Many pointed out that if young professionals cannot safely celebrate career milestones without being targeted, it sends a dangerous signal about the country’s fragile security framework.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), though yet to release an official statement at the time of filing this report, has reportedly been following the matter closely.
Members within the association told DDM that urgent discussions are ongoing on how to secure young lawyers traveling long distances after professional engagements.
Security experts say the abduction underscores the increasing risk along major highways linking Abuja to states in the North Central and South regions.
Analysts noted that kidnappers have turned highways into hunting grounds, preying on unsuspecting travelers.
“This is no longer random,” said one security analyst interviewed by DDM. “It has become a full-blown criminal enterprise, and unfortunately, families are often forced to raise huge ransoms in silence.”
The Udoka sisters’ ordeal sparked massive concern online, with Nigerians sharing their pictures, praying for their safety, and calling on the police to mount pressure on kidnappers.
The outcry added momentum to advocacy against rising abduction cases nationwide.
Colleagues who attended the Call to Bar ceremony with Peace Udoka described her as a brilliant and hardworking young lawyer with a promising future.
“She worked so hard to get to this point, and it is heartbreaking that such a joyful moment was marred by fear,” one classmate said.
Beyond the individual story, many Nigerians are using the case to demand urgent reforms in national security. Kidnapping for ransom has become a dominant threat across the country, with both rural and urban dwellers exposed to attacks.
Victims often include students, clergy, expatriates, businesspeople, and professionals returning from official functions.
Figures from civil society groups show that hundreds of abductions have been reported nationwide in 2025 alone, with many families forced into silence to protect victims’ lives.
Critics say this trend reflects a glaring failure of government at different levels to secure lives and property.
For the Udoka family, however, the priority is thanksgiving. Close relatives told DDM that they were “traumatized but thankful” for the sisters’ safe return.
“We have been through the most difficult week of our lives, but God has shown mercy,” a family elder said.
As the sisters recover from their ordeal, stakeholders insist the Nigerian state must do more to end kidnapping.
Calls are mounting for increased highway patrols, use of technology in tracking gangs, and stronger collaboration between communities and law enforcement agencies.
For many, the release of Peace and Gift Udoka is a moment of joy, but it also leaves behind a troubling question: how many more young Nigerians will fall victim to the menace before decisive action is taken?
Post Views: 8
