The Kebbi Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked its members to avoid visiting nine state-specific hotspots as kidnapping hotspots.
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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 the branch chairman, Aminu Hassan, who issued the directive in a statement released in Birnin Kebbi.
He explained that the decision came after an association meeting held on Saturday to discuss the abduction of one of its members, Mr. Isyaku Muhammad-Danjuma, on October 1 along the Ibeto-Birnin Kebbi route in the Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
The organization, in his opinion, criticized the kidnapping and expressed deep concern about the nation’s rising insecurity.
He claimed the branch had made a resolution to boycott court proceedings from October 7 through October 10 in protest of their colleague’s being kidnapped and to raise awareness of the deteriorating security situation.
Members are also urged to postpone handling of terrorism-related cases, including those involving kidnapping, abduction, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms, until further notice, he said on Sunday.
The association, according to the chairman, would work with relevant authorities to ensure the lawyer’s safe release.
He demanded urgent action from the government and security services to bring back tranquility and confidence in the public.
He added that the branch would collaborate with the judiciary to reduce court appearances and traffic to unsafe locations.
Hassan, however, praised Nigerians’ Bar, judiciary, media, and other citizens for their support and demanded that they continue to work together for justice and peace.
Claim Debunk by Police
The NBA claims that nine local government areas in the state are ungovernable, but the Kebbi State Police Command refutes this claim.
The police called the claim “false, deceptive, and grossly irresponsible”
According to the Police Relations Officer, CSP Nafiu Abubakar, “never at any time or circumstance has any part of Kebbi State become ungovernable or inaccessible to law enforcement or judicial authorities.”
The Command wishes to clarify that Isiaku Danjuma, a legal practitioner based in Kebbi but an indigene of Ibeto, Niger State, was abducted in Ibeto, Niger State, outside of Kebbi State, for the avoidance of doubts.
The victim simply joined the Kebbi State Government’s bus for those present at Hudu Lawan, SAN’s investiture ceremony, noting that she had traveled from Niger to Abuja. He arrived at Kontagora on the way back to Ibeto, where he was unhappily abducted, and continued on the way.
The police stated that they are still deeply concerned about the regrettable incident and that any “professional association” should make broad and important statements without first getting the police or relevant security agencies to verify the facts.
Such assertions can only serve to stoke unneeded fear, aggravate criminal activity, and thwart ongoing security operations.
