Kidnap Of Mrs. Christiana Ekanem Esq: NBA Calabar Branch Raises Concern, Urges Security Agencies To Do More In Order To Secure Her Release

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Calabar Branch, has reacted to the kidnap of Mrs. Christiana Ekanem, Esq., which allegedly took place two weeks ago.

In a Press Release signed by both the Branch Chairman, Dr. Paul A. Ebiala and the Branch Secretary, Effiom Ayi, MCIAarb (UK), dated 18th of March, 2020 and made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), the branch says it “views with great concern the worrisome and distressing security situation in Cross River State nay Nigeria as a whole, resulting in kidnapping and other forms of criminality with disturbing frequency and regularity, the latest being the kidnap of Mrs. Christiana Ekanem (a lawyer), who is the wife of one of the members of the Nigerian Medical Association, Calabar Chapter.

Regrettably, Mrs. Ekanem is still being held in captivity for over two weeks now. This ugly incident has culminated in the indefinite strike action recently embarked upon by Medical Practitioners in Cross River State, apparently to draw attention to the worrisome trend that has bedeviled our dear state.”

It says “Undoubtedly, this recurrent decimal, to which there seems to be no end in sight, presents a picture of helplessness and despair on the part of the relevant Law Enforcement Agencies in the state. There is no gainsaying that these agencies require the nudge and support of the Government of the State to perform optimally.”

The Branch “call on, the relevant security outfits to do much more than they have done to stem the tide of these ugly incidents and secure the prompt and unconditional release and safe return of Mrs. Christiana Ekanem to her family.”

The Branch also “In solidarity with the members of the Nigerian Medical Association, we again demand from the relevant agencies and government, the discharge of the sacred responsibility of securing lives and properties of citizens of this state with speed and openness, as the on-going strike action by Medical Practitioners in the State will have dire consequences on the citizens, especially at this time when the whole world is grappling and contending with the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic.”