NBA issues travel warning to members over kidnapping surge in Kebbi

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kebbi Branch, has warned its members against travelling to nine local government areas identified as hotbeds of kidnapping and violent attacks in the state, following the abduction of one of its members last week.

The branch chairman, Alhaji Aminu Hassan, disclosed this in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Sunday, saying the directive followed an emergency meeting convened to address the worsening insecurity in the state.

He listed the affected local governments as Bagudo, Suru, Kamba (Dandi), Bunza, Kangiwa (Arewa), Dirin Daji (Sakaba), Ribah, Kanya, and Augie.

Hassan said the decision became necessary after Mr Isyaku Muhammad Danjuma, a member of the association, was kidnapped on Wednesday along the Ibeto Birnin Kebbi route in Niger State.

He announced that the branch had resolved to boycott all court proceedings from October 7 to 10 in protest and to demand stronger government action on the insecurity threatening the lives of lawyers and other citizens.

“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 said.

The chairman added that the NBA would engage relevant authorities to ensure Danjuma’s safe release and explore alternative venues for court proceedings in safer areas.

Meanwhile, the NBA National President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the abduction as “a sad reminder of the worsening state of insecurity” in Nigeria, stressing that no citizen lawyer, student, trader or farmer is safe anywhere.

Osigwe said Danjuma’s abduction was “a gross violation of his right to life and dignity,” calling on security agencies to act decisively to end the growing wave of kidnappings across the country.