Leaders of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) branches in Anambra State say the security situation has worsened and they will boycott the courts for two days to express their displeasure.

The lawyers expressed concern about recent cases of kidnapping and gruesome murder of innocent citizens and security personnel.

They described the situation as being ”highly tensed up and frightening to say the least,” and asked that the authorities stop downplaying the phenomenon. Instead, the State Government was asked to urgently convene a meeting of Security agencies in the State to address the issue squarely.

“Failure by the State Government to act immediately may lead to a descent to anarchy.

“We all cannot continue to downplay the Security situation or pretend that all is well,” the lawyers said, charging that “nothing is being done to curb this frightening security challenges.” 

According to them, Federal and state officials as well as the police should “wake up and be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of the citizens.”

The lawyers recalled that last week, a lawyer and community leader of Omor in Ayamelum LGA, Mr. Frank Onwuachi, was “kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku Road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.”

“Yesterday, 19 March, two Prison Officers were killed at Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA and this is barely 24 hours after Naval officers and policemen were killed at Awkuzu and Neni respectively.

“Also, a Naval Outpost close to Bridgehead was attacked sometimes last week resulting to the killings of some Naval officers and their weapons carted away.

The lawyers have resolved to mobilize their members for a visit to Gov. Willie Obiano to register their annoyance.

They will boycott court sittings in the State from tomorrow 22 March to Wednesday, 24 March. All lawyers were asked to assemble at the Judiciary Headquarters tomorrow, from where they will proceed to Government House, Awka.

The position of the lawyers was signed by chair of all NBA branches in the State, including Ekene Okonkwo (Awka branch), Kaine Ananwune (Anaocha), Mr. A.U Okafor (Otuocha), Kingsley Awuka (Nnewi), and Dr. B.E Ewulum (Idemili). Other NBA branch chairs that signed the statement are Vitalis Ihedigbo (Ihiala), Abel Ofoma (Aguata) and Mr. Onyechi Ononye who heads Onitsha as well as the Branches in Anambra.

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