Kidnap: Owo NBA protests, vows not to defend suspects

The protesting lawyers, armed with placards of various inscription such as: “We say No to kidnapping, Our society is at risk, Kidnapping is a crime against Humanity, Kidnapping is a violation of fundamental Human Rights,” declared that no lawyer from its branch shall henceforth defend anybody that is alleged of kidnapping a fellow citizen. 

He said the association is worried over the inability of the police in the state to curb the incessant rate of kidnapping in Owo and its environs and frowned over the recent kidnap of four people including a staff of RUGIPO at around Amurin along Owo/ Akure road.

The NBA  chairman who said lawyers are not spared disclosed that the association paid a huge ransom to secure the release of one of its members who was kidnapped recently and said “on our part, we hereby declare that no lawyer from our branch shall henceforth defend anybody that is alleged of kidnapping a fellow citizen. 

“Kidnapping is a heinous crime. It is a horrendous offence in all ramifications. It is a grievous wrong against humanity, ” he said. 

According to Ahmed “the kidnappings ad ifinitum in Owo and her environs, which one of our members was once a victim is an indication of the total collapse of security in Owo and the triumph of kidnapping and armed gangsters.

“The tidings of armed gangs, gun running and kidnapping are now ubiquitous in every nook and cranny of the ancient city. As a matter of fact, all the major roads that lead to Owo are infested with all forms of criminally minded men. 

“As lawyers and advocates of justice, rule of law and human rights; we viewed the incessant kidnap of citizens in Owo axis as violation of human rights of citizens to freedom of movement, personal liberty and respect for the dignity of human persons as guaranteed by Sections 41,35 and 34 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.”

The NBA in Owo expressed dissatisfaction over the way security operatives in the state have been handling the issue of kidnap and called the authorities to find a lasting solution to the development. 

He said “as much as possible, the police are required under the law to investigate crime and prosecute felons. 

“How can a police that is lacking in the needed skill to investigate crime be able to nip crimes on the bud.

They called on the police to wake up to the present security challenge in Owo saying “the idea of mounting police checking points, which are nothing but avenues to take bribes from commuters, should be reviewed.”

“This is not the time to slumber. It is not the time to be supine as well. Police must, as a matter of necessity be at alert to the security situation in Owo and her environs.”

“To this end, we suggest that the Constant police patrol of the roads should be embarked upon. In this way, police will be able to foil any attempt by the men of underworlds from showcasing their daredevil skills on the roads.

They also advocated that the monthly security votes of the state government should be used to pay the ransom of all kidnapped victims if the state government could not nip the heinous crime in the bud. 

” We demand that the Government of Ondo State and that of Owo Local Government should henceforth settle whatever ransom that might be demanded from any victim of kidnapping on Owo roads.”

In his response,  the Olowo of Owo,  Oba Victor Olateru – Oagbegi, expressed his displeasure over the spate of kidnap describing the situation as unfortunate for kidnappers to be operating on a busy road like Akure /Owo road. 

Oba Olateru-Olagbegi who was represented by the Olubola of Owo Kingdom, Chief Olusola Ogunleye, said this is a strange development and alien to our community.