A judge in Akwa Ibom State High Court Justice Joy Unwana and her driver Idorinyin Ekanem have been released by their kidnappers after five days in captivity.
The duo was taken captive on Monday, December 18, 2023, around 8 pm along the Okobo-Esuk Inwang-Ndon Ebom Road.
They were returning to Uyo after a court session in Oron Local Government Area.
The gunmen who took them captive killed her police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem.
In solidarity, different branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, especially the Oron branch where Justice Unwana works as a judge, protested over the incident and shut down the activities of the court.
Commissioner for information and strategy Ini Ememobong announced her release in a statement on Saturday, adding that Governor Umo Eno received the judge at the Government House in Uyo and thanked the security agencies for their swift response and commitment to duty.
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The governor, who regretted the trauma Unwana must have gone through while in captivity, reassured all of his administration’s commitment towards bringing the perpetrators to book.
The statement reads in part “The Judge of the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary, Justice Joy Unwana, who was abducted Monday night has regained her freedom.
“Receiving the freed judge at the Government House Uyo, the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, thanked God for her safe release while appreciating security agencies for their swift response and commitment to duty.
“He further assured citizens that the state under his watch would never be a haven for criminals, charging security operatives to double their surveillance.
“The governor, specifically, appreciated the Ministry of Internal Security for their strategic coordination and use of local intelligence in the handling of security issues.”
In her response, Justice Unwana appreciated the governor for his concern and efforts at rescuing her from her abductors.
