Mr. Augustine Alegeh

FOLLOWING the kidnap of their colleague, Mr. Okey Wali (SAN), the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Augustine Alegeh (SAN), has called on the Federal Government to put measures in place to end the increasing rate of insecurity in the country.

Alegeh made this call on Tuesday when he led a delegation of senior lawyers on a solidarity visit to the Wali family in their residence in Rumualuogu in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area.

It will be recalled that Wali was kidnapped on Saturday by unknown gunmen on his way to visit his elder brother.

Speaking with newsmen after praying for the immediate release of the former NBA president, Alegeh also expressed the need for the government to provide for the welfare of the people.

He stated that the persistent kidnapping was a sign that the government was failing in its responsibility to provide security for the people.

“We have always said that the principal function of the government is to provide for the welfare of the people. That is the constitutional role of government. I call on government again and again that there is an absolutely urgent need to step up security across the country.

“If we are facing the situations where kidnappings still persist, it shows that it is a failing on the part of government and we have called on the government also to please, step up its act, take more proactive steps at addressing the security situation in the country. Security, like I said goes hand in hand with the welfare of the people, security of the people,” he said.

He appealed to those holding the former NBA boss hostage to release him on compassionate ground, adding that Wali’s health condition does require any ‘atrocious’ condition.

Alegeh pointed out that Wali had served the country and had fought for the defenceless, even as he urged security operatives to do whatever they could to ensure the immediate release of the ex-NBA boss.

He said he was in Rivers State to show that the bar was in pains and would stand by members of his (Wali) family.

“I have come to the family of our 26th president, Emmanuel Okey Wali, along with chairmen of the branches of Rivers State and some leaders of the bar to show solidarity with the family and show that the bar is in pains as they are in pains and that we will stand by them at all times.”

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