NBA condemns the Kogi highway abduction, urging urgent government action, stronger security on highways, and safe release of abducted lawyer, her sister, and others.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned in the strongest terms the Kogi highway abduction, where young lawyer Onyesom Peace Udoka, her sister, and other passengers were kidnapped along the Lokoja–Okene highway by armed gunmen.
The association urged the federal government and security agencies to act swiftly, insisting that Nigeria’s highways must no longer be left at the mercy of criminal gangs.
Udoka had only recently been called to the Nigerian Bar. After attending the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja, she boarded a commercial bus home, filled with pride and expectation for the future.
But what should have been a joyous trip ended in terror when her bus was ambushed.
NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the incident was “unacceptable and utterly condemnable,” lamenting that young lawyers and their families should never have to face such trauma.
“It is heartbreaking that, at a time when our nation should be celebrating the future of the legal profession, we are confronted with such harrowing ordeals,” he said.
The Kogi highway abduction took place along the Okene–Auchi Road, an area long considered vulnerable to armed attacks.
A commercial bus owned by Big Joe Ventures Ltd, with registration number Edo FUG 13 XY, departed Abuja en route to Benin City, Edo State.
Midway through the journey, gunmen blocked the road, forced the vehicle to a halt, and marched all 12 passengers, including the driver, into the surrounding forest.
The Kogi State Police Command confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, SP William Ovye Aya. He said immediate action was taken when the Divisional Police Officer of Okene, CSP Nasir Muhammad, mobilized a joint team of police operatives, soldiers, and local vigilantes.
“In the operation, eight passengers, including the driver, were rescued alive. Efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining four and to apprehend the perpetrators,” Aya told reporters.
The NBA has demanded urgent and decisive measures to ensure the safe return of Udoka, her sister, and other abducted passengers. The body also called for long-term reforms to restore public confidence in road travel.
“The safety and security of Nigerians cannot continue to be treated with levity.
“Protecting lives is the primary duty of government, and this duty must be discharged with the seriousness it deserves,” the association declared.
The legal community has also expressed solidarity with Udoka’s family, emphasizing that this crime is symbolic of the wider insecurity plaguing the nation.
The incident sparked outrage on social media and in professional circles. Many Nigerians expressed anger that kidnappers still operate freely despite repeated government assurances.
The fact that Udoka had just joined the legal profession has drawn further sympathy and attention, as many described it as “a tragedy against the nation’s future.”
Several senior lawyers noted that insecurity now affects every sector.
“If a newly called lawyer cannot travel safely from Abuja to her hometown, then no Nigerian is safe,” one Abuja-based lawyer wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
The Kogi highway abduction is part of a disturbing pattern of violence on Nigerian roads. In recent years, highways such as Abuja–Kaduna, Lokoja–Okene, and Benin–Ore have become notorious for kidnappings.
Data from SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based risk consultancy, shows that more than 3,600 people were kidnapped across Nigeria between July 2022 and June 2023, with highways accounting for a significant percentage of abduction cases.
Kogi, Niger, Kaduna, and Zamfara states remain some of the hardest-hit areas.
Highways in Kogi are particularly vulnerable because the state serves as a gateway linking the North to the South. Criminal gangs exploit dense forests and poor patrol coverage to stage ambushes.
Security experts say the persistence of kidnappings despite heavy military presence highlights systemic weaknesses. Retired army officer and analyst, Col. Hassan Ibrahim (rtd), explained that criminals adapt quickly.
“Even when soldiers are deployed, the gangs monitor movements and choose isolated areas to strike.
“Without consistent intelligence, aerial surveillance, and community collaboration, these attacks will continue,” he said.
Analysts also point to Nigeria’s economic difficulties, which fuel the growth of criminal networks. Unemployment, poverty, and weak law enforcement capacity make kidnapping for ransom an attractive venture for armed groups.
The Constitution assigns government the primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
Yet, critics argue that repeated tragedies like the Kogi highway abduction show a disconnect between promises and delivery.
Failure to secure highways not only endangers lives but also affects trade, tourism, and national integration. Highways are vital economic arteries, and when they become unsafe, both businesses and ordinary citizens suffer.
Transport companies incur higher costs for security, while many Nigerians are forced to abandon road travel altogether.
Despite the trauma, the NBA expressed hope that Udoka, her sister, and the other abducted passengers will be rescued unharmed.
The association pledged full support to the victims’ families and vowed to continue pressing the government for accountability.
Meanwhile, rescue operations continue in Kogi as joint forces intensify their search for the captives. Locals say security presence has increased along the Lokoja–Okene route, though travelers remain fearful.
The Kogi highway abduction is not just a story of individuals—it is a wake-up call for Nigeria as a whole.
It highlights the urgent need for reform in security strategy, stronger government commitment, and genuine community involvement in combating crime.
For the NBA and Nigerians at large, the abduction of a newly called lawyer represents both a personal tragedy and a symbol of the broader crisis.
Until decisive action is taken, stories like Udoka’s will continue to overshadow moments of national pride and dim the hopes of a new generation.
About The Author
