Justice Joy Unwana of the Akwa Ibom State High Court and her driver, Idorinyin Ekanem, who were both kidnapped by gunmen, have both been released after spending five days in the kidnappers’ den.
Chronicle NG reports that Justice Unwana and her driver were kidnapped on Monday, December 18, 2023, while returning to Uyo after a court session in Oron Local Government Area of the state.
Thank God Ekanem, her police orderly, was slain in the event, which occurred at 8 p.m. on the Okobo-Esuk Inwang-Ndon Ebom Road.
Different sections of the Nigerian Bar Association, particularly the Oron branch, where Justice Unwana works as a judge, denounced the incident and shut down the court’s operations in solidarity.
According to Mr. Ini Ememobong, the state commissioner for information and strategy, who announced her release in a statement on Saturday, Governor Umo Eno, while receiving the freed judge at the Government House in Uyo, thanked God for ensuring her safe return and thanked the security agencies for their quick response and commitment to duty.
The governor, who expressed sadness for the anguish Justice Unwana must have endured while imprisoned, assured everyone of his government’s commitment to bringing the criminals to justice.
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 reaction, Justice Unwana thanked the governor for his concern and efforts to save her from her kidnappers.
She told them about her experiences, praying that no one else would have to go through what she had.
Justice Unwana and her driver are currently being debriefed and treated for injuries.
