The Nigerian Bar Association has urged the Federal Government and security agencies to move quickly to secure the release of Onyesom Udoka, one of its newest members, who was abducted along the Lokoja–Okene highway in Kogi State.
Udoka, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University and the Nigerian Law School, Enugu Campus, was kidnapped on Friday while returning from her Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja. She was taken alongside her sister and other passengers.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), in a statement on Sunday, described the incident as “unacceptable and utterly condemnable,” noting that no family should face such trauma during a moment of celebration.
“It is heartbreaking that at a time when the nation should be celebrating the future of the legal profession, young lawyers and their families are subjected to such harrowing ordeals,” he said.
The NBA called for a coordinated response from security agencies to ensure the safe release of the victims and demanded stronger measures to curb rising insecurity on Nigerian highways.
The abduction was first reported on X by a lawyer identified as Blue Lawyer, who disclosed that the kidnappers had demanded a ₦20 million ransom for Udoka and her sister.
The incident occurred the same day armed men attacked a commuter bus belonging to Big Joe Ventures Ltd in Kogi. Police spokesperson, SP William Aya, confirmed that 12 passengers were kidnapped in that attack. He added that joint security forces rescued eight of the victims, while efforts are ongoing to free the remaining four.
