The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says it has set up a seven-man task force to rescue a lawyer, Paulette Ajayi, said to have been abducted on Sunday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to the NBA Publicity Secretary, Dr Ralph Nduka, Ajayi was abducted in the front of her home in Rumukrushi, Port Harcourt, by “at least four men dressed in combat fatigues and dark T-shirts.”

Nduka, in a statement on Monday, titled, ‘NBA sets up task force for the release of Paulette Bisola Ajayi,’ said the family of the abducted lawyer confirmed the incident to the NBA President, Mr Olumide Akpata.

He said, “Consequently, the NBA President has immediately set up a task force that will take every step in ensuring the release of our abducted colleague.

“The members of the task force are NBA First Vice-President, John Aikpokpo-Martins; NBA Welfare Secretary, Kunle Edun, Port Harcourt NBA Chairman, Nyekwere; Victor Frank-Briggs; Irene Pepple; Anthonia Osademe; and Ngozi Ajayi.

“The NBA is in contact with the Rivers State Governor, Attorney-General of Rivers, and Rivers State Police Headquarters, on this issue.

“The NBA reiterates that the welfare of legal practitioners remains paramount at all times and assures that no stone will be left unturned in ensuring the release of our dear learned colleague.

“The NBA further pleads that any useful information that will assist the task force should be made available to either the NBA Welfare Secretary or the Vice Chairman of the Port Harcourt Branch of the NBA.”