Abducted Akwa Ibom judge and driver regain freedom

Abducted Akwa Ibom State High Court judge, Justice Joy Unwana, and her driver, Idorinyin Ekanem, have regained their freedom after spending five days in the kidnappers den.

LIB reported earlier 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. The gunmen also killed her police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem. 

However, Akwa Ibom state Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Ini Ememobong announced her release in a statement on Saturday, December 23. Ini 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.

Governor Umo Eno who regretted the trauma Justice Unwana must have gone through while in captivity, reassured all of his government’s effort in bringing those behind the attack to justice. 

The statement read; 

“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.”