Cynthia Ezegwu
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kebbi Branch, has directed its members to avoid travelling to nine local government areas in the state identified as kidnapping hotspots.
The directive was issued by the branch chairman, Alhaji Aminu Hassan, in a statement released on Sunday in Birnin Kebbi.
Hassan said the affected areas include Bagudo, Suru, Kamba (in Dandi), Bunza, Kangiwa (in Arewa), Dirin Daji (in Sakaba), Ribah, Kanya, and Augie Local Government Areas.
According to him, the decision followed an emergency meeting of the association on Saturday to deliberate on the recent abduction of one of its members, Mr. Isyaku Muhammad-Danjuma, who was kidnapped along the Ibeto–Birnin Kebbi route in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State on Wednesday.
The branch condemned the abduction and expressed deep concern over the escalating insecurity in the state and across the country.
As part of its resolutions, the association directed all its members to boycott court proceedings from October 7 to 10 in protest against the kidnapping of their colleague and to draw attention to the deteriorating security situation.
“Upon the expiration of the boycott period, members are also urged to suspend handling of terrorism-related cases, including those involving kidnapping, abduction, armed robbery, or unlawful possession of firearms, until further notice,” Hassan stated.
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He added that the branch would engage relevant authorities to ensure the safe release of the abducted lawyer while urging the government and security agencies to take immediate action to restore peace and public confidence.
Hassan said the association would collaborate with the judiciary to provide alternative venues for court proceedings to minimise travel to unsafe areas. He commended members of the Bar, the judiciary, the media, and the public for their solidarity and called for unity in the pursuit of justice and peace.
Meanwhile, the National President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), also condemned Danjuma’s abduction, describing it as “a sad reminder of the worsening state of insecurity across the nation.”
“Mr. Danjuma is not just a lawyer; he is a husband, a father, a son, and a citizen whose rights to life, liberty, and dignity are guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended). His abduction is a gross violation of these rights, an affront to the rule of law, and yet another tragic testimony to the unchecked reign of criminality and violence in our society,” Osigwe said.