The Federal High Court in Uyo has sentenced 30-year-old Nkereuwem Felix Effiong to life imprisonment for his role in the abduction of an Akwa Ibom High Court judge, Justice Joy Unwana.
Justice Unwana and her driver, Idorenyin Ekanem, were kidnapped on December 18, 2023, along the Okobo Esuk Inwang–Ndon Ebom Road. During the attack, the judge’s police orderly, ThankGod Ekanem, was shot dead.
Effiong was arrested on July 4, 2024, along Ikot Ekpene Road in Uyo following investigations by the State Security Service. He admitted involvement in multiple kidnappings carried out by a criminal gang known as the “Bling Bling Marine Striker Force,” led by one Ubong Effiong, alias “Condiment,” who remains at large.
In his confession, Effiong said he took part in three major abductions, including that of Justice Unwana. He revealed that the gang collected N25 million as ransom for the judge, from which he received N300,000. He also confessed to kidnapping a pastor of The Apostolic Church in Oron and another victim whose family paid N5 million, earning him N50,000.
Effiong told investigators that the gang frequently used mini-buses in their operations and sometimes targeted local residents and fishermen to raise funds.
He pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy, membership of a terrorist group, kidnapping, and concealing information about the gang’s activities.
On Monday, February 23, 2026, Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah convicted Effiong on three counts, sentencing him to 25 years for conspiracy to commit terrorism, 20 years for membership of a terrorist group, and life imprisonment for the kidnapping of Justice Unwana. He was acquitted of concealing information.
The ruling is being hailed as a major victory for law enforcement in Akwa Ibom State and serves as a stern warning to kidnapping syndicates operating in the region.
