Chidi Odinkalu, has raised alarm over the abduction of a Borno State High Court judge, Haruna Mshelia, along with his wife, orderly, and driver by suspected Boko Haram elements. The incident reportedly took place on or around June 24, 2024, along the Biu-Maiduguri Road in northeastern Nigeria.
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In a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Odinkalu expressed concern over the lack of attention given to the case by the Nigerian Bar Association (@NigBarAssoc) and the National Judicial Council (@njcNig).
“Haruna Mshelia is a Judge of the High Court of Borno State, NE #Nigeria. On or around 24 June, suspected #BokoHaram elements abducted him with his wife, orderly & driver along Biu-Maiduguri Road. They have not bn seen since then & no one is asking; not @NigBarAssoc & not @njcNig,” Odinkalu wrote.
Haruna Mshelia is a Judge of the High Court of Borno State, NE #Nigeria. On or around 24 June, suspected #BokoHaram elements abducted him with his wife, orderly & driver along Biu-Maiduguri Road. They have not bn seen since then & no one is asking; not @NigBarAssoc & not @njcNig. pic.twitter.com/e7dbRUKkxT
— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) September 2, 2024
The abduction of a serving judge and his entourage by the terrorist group Boko Haram highlights the persistent security challenges faced by the northeastern region of Nigeria. The incident has raised questions about the safety of judicial officers and the overall security situation in Borno State, which has been a hotbed of Boko Haram activity for over a decade.
The silence from the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council, as pointed out by Odinkalu, has also drawn criticism from various quarters. Many have called for increased efforts to secure the release of the abducted individuals and ensure the safety of judicial officers in the discharge of their duties.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the Borno State government or security agencies regarding the abduction of Judge Haruna Mshelia and his entourage. The whereabouts of the abducted individuals remain unknown, and no group has claimed responsibility for the incident.
The abduction of Judge Mshelia and his entourage is yet another reminder of the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to address the security challenges posed by Boko Haram and other terrorist groups operating in northeastern Nigeria. The safety and well-being of judicial officers, who play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law, must be given the utmost priority by the relevant authorities.
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