Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has called for the immediate and unconditional release of its member, Mr. Etta Ukagu, who was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on Thursday, January 30, 2020.

A statement signed by the NBA chairman, Dr. Paul Ebiala, and the secretary. Mr. Effiom Ayi, and made available yesterday to newsmen yesterday, noted that the incident happened about 10pm in Calabar, and since then the barrister’s whereabouts had remained unknown.

“Unfortunately, this is a bitter pill to swallow by not only members of the branch and the legal profession as a whole but also his immediate family and the general public.

“The branch leadership condemns in the strongest terms this criminal act and appeals to his abductors to release him unconditionally in the shortest possible time.“We also call on the relevant law enforcement agencies to intensify efforts to secure his immediate release.”

In the same vein, the NBA has called on governments at the state and federal levels to devise means to bring to an end the recurring incidents of kidnapping, armed robbery, killings and cultism in the country.

“We demand the discharge of this constitutional responsibility of government with speed and diligence,” the lawyers added. Kidnapping has been rampant in the state of recent, though the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Miss Irene Ugbo, said the situation was not as bad as presented.

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