Judge Joy Unwana of the Akwa Ibom State High Court and her chauffeur, Idorinyin Ekanem, were taken hostage and held for five days before being liberated.
Following a court hearing in the state’s Oron Local Government Area, Justice Unwana and her driver were abducted on Monday, December 18, 2023, while travelling back to Uyo, according to a previous report. Thank God Ekanem, her police orderly, was also slain by the gunmen.
However, a statement from Mr Ini Ememobong, the state commissioner for information and strategy for Akwa Ibom, declared her release on Saturday, December 23. According to Ini, Governor Umo Eno thanked God for granting the judge’s safe return and the security agencies for their prompt response and dedication to duty when he received the released judge at the Government House, Uyo.
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Governor Umo Eno reaffirmed all of his government’s efforts to bring those responsible for the attack to justice, expressing remorse for the pain Justice Unwana must have endured while in captivity.
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.”