Recalls three lawyers of the NBA Warri branch namely; Fred Aburu,Esq., Isreal Unurierume, Esq., Eda Gbejule, Esq., and Kome Esike, and the driver of the vehicle they boarded were on Wednesday abducted along Benin -Auchi road, on their way to court.
Warri NBA chairman, Chief Emmanuel Uti, in a statement on Friday, described the incident as ‘disturbing’, saying the incident awakens the sad reality of what has bedeviled our society, which the Government has found difficult to contain, in order to reassure its citizens of their safety.
Uti expressed concern that the security architecture in the country seems overwhelmed by the dastardly acts of kidnappers, urging security agencies to collaborate with Edo State Police Command to ensure release of the lawyers.
“This kidnap incident once again brings to fore the challenges associated with our profession that we are made to live with, in the discharge of our professional duties.
He said that the act of kidnapping; “calls for a revisit of the Branch resolution that, our Branch members should not appear for any accused charged with kidnapping.
“While we await further information from the security agencies, we are enjoined to remember our colleagues in our prayers for their safe release”, Uti added.
In a related development, NBA, Benin branch, in a similar statement, condemned the incessant and unending kidnap of lawyers and citizens plying Benin/Auchi Road by dare-devil kidnappers and called on the security operatives in the state to put an end to the ugly trend.
Describing the incident as “recurring decimal”, the Benin branch’s Publicity Secretary, Ogaga Emoghwanre, Esq, said that the kidnappers struck in the early hours of February 2, shooting sporadically.
The statement reads; “It was revealed that the affected lawyers who are members of the Warri branch of the NBA, (“The Radioactive Bar”) were on their way from Warri to Sabo-gidda Ora High Court when they were attacked at the Ehor axis of the expressway.
“The question now is: If lawyers who spend most of their lives fighting for the oppressed can be kidnapped, does it not automatically mean that no one in this country is safe?
“The bitter truth is that the rising incidence of kidnapping in Edo State is mind-boggling and the NBA Benin Branch cannot, and will not sit back and allow this to linger within our turf.
“We want to at this juncture, while commending the Police and other security agencies in Edo State, demand that they do everything within their constitutional powers and duty to ensure that the lawyers and driver are released within 48 hours, unharmed and unscathed.
“We state categorically that we are in unshaken solidarity with the Radioactive Bar in this trying time in demanding for the unconditional and immediate release of our colleagues.
“The Chairman of the Lion Bar, Mr. Pius Oiwoh, was on his way to Ekpoma High court when the kidnappers attacked motorists plying that road. Fortunately, he was unharmed and we thank God for sparing him.
“The kidnap incident has been reported to the State Police Command and the Zonal Headquarters.
“The Executive of Lion bar in solidarity with the Radioactive Bar moved to the AIG Zone 5’s office and while at that meeting, they met with the State Commissioner of Police and reported the incident to him. The Commissioner of Police promised that our kidnapped colleagues and their driver will be released unhurt”, the statement added.
