Lawyer Kidnapped on Abuja to Benin Journey After Call to Bar
- A lawyer was abducted while travelling from Abuja to Benin shortly after the Call to Bar ceremony
- A public plea for help emerged online, with a ₦20 million ransom reportedly demanded for her release
- The legal community and concerned citizens called for urgent action as details of the kidnapping continue to unfold
A disturbing case of abduction has emerged following Nigeria’s recent Call to Bar ceremony, as newly qualified lawyer was reportedly kidnapped while travelling from Abuja to Benin.
The incident has triggered widespread concern across legal and social media circles.
Source: Twitter
Onyesom Peace Udoka, a graduate of Ambrose Alli University who attended the Nigerian Law School’s Enugu Campus, was last heard from around Lokoja at approximately 12pm on Friday, 26 September 2025.
She had participated in the Call to Bar ceremony held on Tuesday, 23 September, and was en route to Benin when contact was lost.
Kidnappers demand ₦20 million ransom
The case gained public attention after a post by Rhave_official on X (formerly Twitter) on 27 September, which read:
“My friend and colleague has been kidnapped on her way home from the Call To Bar ceremony. Please we need help. There’s a 20 million naira ransom on her and her sister.”
The message has since been widely shared, prompting calls for urgent intervention from security agencies and the public.
Lawyer's last known details, contact information
According to a public notice circulated online, Udoka’s last known location was around Lokoja, a common transit point between Abuja and Benin.
The last number she reportedly used to make contact was 08058525334. Concerned individuals have been directed to reach out via 08135538123 for any information that could assist in locating the victims.
Source: Depositphotos
Legal community urges swift action
The Nigerian community has expressed alarm over the incident, with many calling for improved security measures for young lawyers and graduates travelling across the country.
The timing of the abduction, just days after the Call to Bar ceremony, has raised questions about the safety of celebrants returning home from official events.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement, but pressure continues to mount for swift and coordinated action to secure the safe release of the abducted lawyers.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to the appropriate authorities. The case remains under active concern, with hopes that the victims will be safely reunited with their families.
See the X post below:
Speaking with Legit.ng, Imaan Muhammad, an educationist based in Nigeria, spoke on the recent abduction:
“To say the least, this is very disturbing. A fresh lawyer, just called to bar, abducted on a major highway is a brutal reminder of how insecurity is choking ambition in Nigeria. If our brightest minds can’t travel safely after years of study, then education itself is under siege. Government must act fast.”
Pastor 'abducts' wife, demands N10m ransom
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Ondo state police command detained a pastor and his wife for allegedly staging her abduction in a bid to extort money from relatives living abroad. Spokesperson for the command, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, August 27.
He said the suspects, Pastor Sanmori Joshua, 62, and his wife, Taiwo, 42, hatched the plan at their residence on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo city, on August 23, reported The Punch.
According to the police, Mrs Taiwo deliberately locked herself inside a room while her husband contacted relatives, claiming she had been kidnapped by gunmen. He reportedly demanded a ransom of N10 million to secure her release.
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Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
