Kidnappers have killed the Chairman of the Onitsha Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Francis Onwuachi.

Onwuachi, President General of Omor, a community in Ayamelum Local Government Area, was kidnapped a week ago on his way to his town by persons suspected to be herdsmen.

Following the deteriorating state of insecurity in Anambra State, the state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has read the riot act to criminals due to the recent attacks on police and naval personnel in the state.

A source said attempts to rescue the NBA chairman proved abortive, until he was found dead on Friday night.

Efforts to get the Police Public Relations Officer in Anambra State, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga, to react to the news were unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Anambra State has bemoaned what it described as the worsening security situation in the state.

The group called on the federal and Anambra State governments as well as heads of security agencies to wake up to their responsibility of protecting the citizens.

In a in a statement signed by all the chairmen and secretaries of the various branches, the association said there was tension in the whole state.

The statement read:

The Committee notes that the security situation in Anambra State is highly tensed up and frightening, to say the least.

Just last week Friday, 12/3/2021, a lawyer, Mr. Frank Onwuachi, who is also the President General of Omor in Ayamelum LGA of Anambra State, was kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.

The Committee urgently calls on the state government to as a matter of urgency summon a meeting of various security agencies in the state to address this worrisome security situation and tackle it headlong. 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 time to act is now.

The committee also resolved that all lawyers in Anambra State would boycott all courts from Monday to Wednesday.

It said lawyers in the state would stage a protest march to Government House, Awka, to express their dissatisfaction with the current security situation.

The committee also sent its condolences to the family of the deceased Onwuachi

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Governor, Obiano, has read the riot act to criminals following the recent attacks on police and naval personnel in the state.

In a state broadcast yesterday in Akwa, the governor noted that another incident was foiled by security operatives, adding that the security operatives have been directed to resist such attacks going forward.

According to the Channels TV, the governor stated that any attack on security operatives in the state is an attack on the entirety of the people.

He said it is time for all security agencies, the vigilante services, and all task forces to rise in the defence of the state.

As part of efforts to check the recent trend of security challenges in the state, he declared that fitted tinted glasses on vehicles, as well as covered plate numbers, would no longer be allowed on all roads within Anambra.

Obiano stated that the security agencies would be conducting special and strategic operations aimed at neutralising the emerging threats to the collective safety of the people.

He also ordered a clampdown on all cultists and their activities, saying the state government would no longer tolerate violence in the name of cultism.

The governor appealed to the youths to shun cultism and embrace meaningful lifestyles, adding that the government would no longer tolerate touting in whatever guise, especially in Onitsha.

He, therefore, directed the security agencies to arrest anybody hanging on the road with sticks and molesting innocent residents.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.