Justice Joy Unwana, the Akwa Ibom State High Court judge, and her driver, Idorinyin Ekanem, who were abducted by gunmen, have regained their freedom after spending five days in the hands of the kidnappers.
Africa Today News, New York, has reported that Justice Unwana and her driver were abducted on Monday, December 18, 2023, while returning to Uyo following a court session in Oron Local Government Area of the state.
Regrettably, her police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, lost his life in the incident that unfolded around 8 pm along the Okobo-Esuk Inwang-Ndon Ebom Road.
Various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association, with a notable emphasis on the Oron branch where Justice Unwana serves as a judge, staged protests in solidarity, leading to the suspension of court activities in response to the incident.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Ini Ememobong, who announced her release in a statement on Saturday, said Governor Umo Eno, while receiving the freed judge at the Government House, Uyo, thanked God for ensuring her safe return and thanked the security agencies for their swift response and commitment to duty.
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The governor, acknowledging the distress Justice Unwana must have faced in captivity, reiterated his government’s firm commitment to holding the perpetrators accountable for their actions.
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.’
Thanking the governor for his concern, Justice Unwana, in her response, appreciated the earnest efforts made to secure her release from the abductors.
She shared the details of her ordeal in their captivity, offering prayers and expressing a heartfelt wish that no one else would have to face such a terrible experience.
Justice Unwana and her driver are presently in the process of debriefing and receiving the required medical care.