The family of a newly called-to-the-Bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom, and her sister, Gift, has disclosed that their abductors are demanding N40 million for their release after they were kidnapped along the Okene–Auchi Road on Friday.
Peace, who was among the new lawyers called to the Nigerian Bar on September 23, was returning to Benin from Abuja with her sister when they were attacked.
Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, their sibling, Adaeze Onyesom, explained that the kidnappers initially demanded N100m but later reduced it to N20m each. “We begged and told them we could only raise ₦7m, but they refused. This morning, they allowed us to speak with our sisters, who were pleading with us to raise the money,” she said, adding that the family had begun selling property to raise funds.
Meanwhile, Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, announced on X (formerly Twitter) that eight of the 12 kidnapped victims had been rescued by police and military operatives. But Adaeze disputed this, saying the bus manifest showed only eight passengers and that police sources in Okene had confirmed no rescues had been made.
In reaction, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the abduction. Its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), described it as “unacceptable and utterly condemnable,” and urged the Federal Government and security agencies to ensure the immediate and safe release of the victims.
“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 ordeals. No citizen should live under the constant fear of insecurity on our roads,” the NBA said in a statement.
This incident adds to a growing list of kidnappings along the Abuja–Kogi–Benin corridor, including the abduction of NYSC member Rofiat Lawal in February and three bus passengers earlier this month.
