Wali, former NBA president, kidnapped

THE immediate past president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Okey Wali, was on Saturday, kidnapped in Rumualogu, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.

While the details of the incident remains sketchy, it was gathered that he was on his way to visit his elder brother at about 8:30pm, when a group of armed men, who had ostensibly laid ambush for him, double-crossed him and forcefully entered his vehicle.

An indigene of the area said Wali was with an elder in the area, when the kidnappers swooped on him and drove the two of them away but later abandoned the elder on the road while they took away Wali, who was obviously their target.

Wali’s vehicle was later abandoned along the Ozuoba Water Front, even as the kidnappers of the former NBA president were yet to establish contact with his family.

Also, the motive of the abduction of Wali was yet to be ascertained as at press time but when contacted, Rivers Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Muhammad Ahmad, confirmed the incident, saying the police was on the trail of the kidnappers.

“As soon as the police got the information of the abduction of the ex-NBA president, we quickly swung into action where his vehicle was recovered along Ozuoba.

“We are still on their trail with a view of rescuing him safely and possible apprehend his abductors,” Ahmad said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has described as shocking the news of the abduction of the 26th president of the NBA, Okey Wali, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The NBA, in a statement issued by its president, Augustine Alegeh, said: “Okey Wali is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation. It is therefore saddening that he should become a kidnap victim.

“This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live. The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfil its prry constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.

“We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family,” the release stated.”

The Ikeja and Lagos branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on Sunday appealed to the abductors of ex-NBA President, Mr Okey Wali, to release him immediately and unconditionally.

The two branch chairmen made the appeal while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The Centre for the Vulnerable and Underprivileged (CENTREP) has condemned the abduction of the immediate past NBA president, saying it is heinous.

The Warri-based human rights group made this known through its executive director, Oghenejabor Ikimi, in a statement made available to the Nigerian Tribune on Sunday in Warri, Delta State.