Peace Onyesom, a newly called-to-the-bar lawyer, and her sister, Gift Onyesom, who were abducted along the Okene–Auchi Road on Friday, have regained their freedom.
Their brother, Godspower Onyesom, confirmed their release on Tuesday.
Peace had attended the Nigerian Law School call-to-the-bar ceremony on 23 September and was returning to Benin, Edo State, with her sister when they were kidnapped.
Their sister, Adaeze Onyesom, had earlier revealed that the abductors initially demanded a ransom of ₦100 million, which was later reduced to ₦40 million — ₦20 million for each victim. The family pleaded with the kidnappers and offered ₦7 million, but the demand was rejected.
Adaeze also disclosed that the ordeal caused significant distress to the family, forcing them to sell property in an attempt to raise the ransom.
Confirming the sisters’ release, Godspower said, “She has been released. She is back home.”
In a video shared with journalists, Peace expressed her gratitude, stating that the military had rescued them.
“Thank you, everyone. My sister and I have been rescued. The military in Okpella rescued us,” she said.
Former Delta State governor’s aide, Harrison Gwamnishu, also confirmed their release in a Facebook post, stating that the sisters were handed over near a village in Okpella after what he described as “a tough journey.”
Efforts to reach Kogi State Police Public Relations Officer, Williams Aya, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls as of the time of reporting.
On Sunday, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that eight abducted persons had been rescued.
The kidnapping of Peace and her sister is the latest in a series of abductions along the Abuja–Kogi–Benin highways. In February, a National Youth Service Corps member, Rofiat Lawal, was kidnapped along the Benin–Ore Expressway and later released after a ₦1 million ransom was paid.
Similarly, on 9 September, Kogi State Vigilante Services confirmed that three passengers of an 18-seater bus were abducted at Aku village along the Okene–Lokoja Expressway.