“Whereabouts Unknown” — 12 Passengers, Including Newly Called Lawyers, Abducted On Okene–Auchi Expressway

Friends and colleagues of Onyesom Peace Udoka, a newly called Nigerian lawyer, have raised urgent concerns over her disappearance after she was allegedly kidnapped while travelling back to Benin City, Edo State.

According to multiple social media reports, Udoka attended her Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, and departed for Benin City a few days later. She was reportedly abducted along with her sister near Lokoja on Friday, September 27, around 12 pm.

Friends have called on security agencies to act swiftly. In one social media post, Awele Ideal highlighted the growing insecurity along the Okene Auchi expressway, noting that 23 passengers including several young lawyers returning from Abuja were reportedly kidnapped, with abductors demanding ₦100 million per person for their release.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), legal practitioners, and concerned citizens have appealed to the Edo State Governor, the federal government, and the Tinubu administration to intervene and ensure the safe return of the victims.

Reports indicate that armed men abducted 12 passengers of a Toyota Hiace bus (Edo FUG 13 XY) along Okene Auchi Road in Kogi State. An eyewitness stated that the abductors whisked the passengers into the bush around noon, while security operatives later arrived to rescue the victims.

The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident. Police Public Relations Officer SP William Aya said, “Kidnappers attacked a Big Joe Ventures Ltd Toyota Hiace commuter Bus commuting from Abuja to Benin in Edo State. During the incident, 12 passengers were abducted. Subsequently, the DPO Okene Div, CSP Nasir Muhammad, mobilized police personnel along with military and vigilante operatives in pursuit of the kidnappers. Eight victims, including the driver, were rescued. Efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining four victims and apprehend the perpetrators.”

Key details shared online about Udoka include:

Friends continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact authorities immediately to aid in the safe recovery of Udoka and the remaining victims.