Newly called-to-bar lawyer, Peace Onyesom, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were abducted along the Okene-Auchi Road last Friday, have regained their freedom.
Their brother, Godspower Onyesom, confirmed their release in a telephone call with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.
Peace had attended the Nigerian Law School’s call-to-bar ceremony on September 23 and was returning to Benin, Edo State, with her sister when the incident occurred.
Earlier, their sister, Adaeze Onyesom, told PUNCH Metro that the kidnappers initially demanded ₦100 million, which they later reduced to ₦40 million for both victims.
The family pleaded, offering ₦7 million, but the abductors rejected it. Adaeze said the family began selling property to raise funds amid growing distress.
On Tuesday, Godspower confirmed the sisters had been freed. In a video sent to our correspondent, Peace expressed gratitude, saying the military in Okpella rescued them.
“Thank you, everyone. My sister and I have been rescued. The military in Okpella has rescued us,” she said.
Harrison Gwamnishu, a former aide to the Delta State Governor, also confirmed the release via Facebook, stating they were freed near a village in Okpella.
Efforts to reach the Kogi State Police PRO, Williams Aya, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls.
Previously, PUNCH Metro reported that the Nigeria Police PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, revealed via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday that eight kidnapped victims had been rescued.
This incident adds to a growing list of kidnappings along Abuja-Kogi-Benin routes. In February, NYSC member Rofiat Lawal was kidnapped along the Benin-Ore Expressway and released after a ₦1 million ransom was paid.
Similarly, in September, three passengers were abducted from an 18-seater bus along the Okene-Lokoja Expressway.
Advertisement
