Lawyers Declare Strike Over Insecurity

Lawyers in Anambra State have declared a three-day strike, starting from Monday, over insecurity in the state .

This came barely 24 hours after their member, Frank Onwuachi, who was abducted by hoodlums was found dead.

Unknown Gunmen had recently terrorised the state by killing no fewer than six policemen, four naval officers, a prison’s warder and others.

Several police stations had also been set ablaze in similar-fact circumstances and arms carted away.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Bar Association, Anambra State Chapter, after reviewing the situation, ordered its members to boycott courts in the state for three days, starting from Monday.

A statement signed by the eight chairmen of bar branches in the state reads in part.

“The committee of chairmen and secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association branches in Anambra State bemoans the worsening security situation in Anambra State and calls on the Federal Government, Anambra State Government and heads of security agencies to wake up and be alive to their responsibilities of protecting lives and properties of the citizens.

“The Committee notes that the security situation in Anambra State is highly tensed up and frightening to say the least.

“Recently, there has been cases of kidnap and gruesome murder/killing of innocent citizens and security personnel in the state and nothing is being done to curb this frightening security challenges in the State.

“Just last week Friday, a Lawyer, Frank Onwuachi, who is also the President General of Omor in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State was kidnapped along Ezu River/Anaku road and gruesomely murdered the following day by his captors.

“On 19/3/2021, two Prison Officers were killed at Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA and this is barely 24 hours after Naval officers and policemen were killed at Awkuzu and Neni respectively.

“Also, a Naval Outpost close to Bridgehead was attacked sometimes last week resulting to the killings of some Naval officers and their weapons carted away.

“We call on the State Government to as a matter of urgency summon a meeting of various security agencies in the state to address this worrisome security situations and tackle it headlong. Failure by the State Government to act immediately may lead to a descent to anarchy.

“We all cannot continue to downplay the Security situation or pretend that all is well. The time to act is now.”

While condoling with the NBA Otuocha branch, the families of late Frank Onwuachi and all security men killed by unknown gunmen, the lawyers resolved
that all lawyers in the state “shall boycott all courts from Monday to Wednesday”.

“That all lawyers in Anambra State should converge on the Judiciary Headquarters, Awka on Monday, by 12 noon for onward movement to the Government House, Awka to express our dissatisfaction with the current security situation in Anambra State.”