NBA president aurges FG to improve security

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 family of the immediate past president of NBA at their resident 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 incidents of kidnapping was a sign that the government was failing in its responsibility to provide security for the people. According to him, “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 government also to please, step up their 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 appealed to those holding the former NBA boss hostage to release him on compassionate grounds, adding that Wali’s health condition does not 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. “We are here to also use this opportunity to appeal to anybody who is involved in the abduction of Mr. Wali to please, in God’s name, consider releasing him on compassionate grounds because he has served the country very well. He has always fought for the defenceless. “Most importantly, he does not possess of the health that would enable him to survive atrocious conditions. So, we appeal passionately for his safe and immediate release. That is why we have come here today,” he stressed. On why the death sentence option by some states for kidnappers has not reduced the crime in the country,” Alegeh said, “Punishment may be a deterrent criminal activities, but it will not totally stop criminal activities. So, the function of government is to provide security first and foremost and where there is a breach, then the law will apply. “So, I do not see how you promulgate laws and the laws themselves will be a substitute to the function of government to provide security. No matter how draconian the law may be, government still has a responsibility to provide security.” He, however, expressed the need for the country to have a well-equipped police force and the resources to police the country. “The most important thing as we always say is to have a proper police force that is well equipped and that is grounded with the people and I believe that we have the resources to police the country. It is whether we have the will power that is doubt, but certainly, we have the resources to police the country,” he added.