Okey Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), has been taken hostage by gunmen in Rivers State.

A report by TheCable states that Wali was abducted on Monday following an attack on his convoy along the east-west road in the Obio/Akpor LGA of the state.

This marked the second time Wali would be abducted. The former NBA chairman was reportedly kidnapped in 2014.

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Reacting to the news of Wali’s Abduction, Yakubu Maikyau, the current president of the association, on Tuesday appealed to the abductors to release the SAN to his family.

“I, therefore, hereby plead with the abductors not to harm Mr Wali, SAN, and make a passionate appeal for his release to his family,” Maikyau was quoted to have said.

“The NBA stands with and assures his family of our full support in this trying period, even as we join in praying for his safe return home.

“This ugly incident is yet another sad reminder of the weakness in our security system and the failure of successive governments to live up to the constitutional duty of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians.

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“We urge the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State command, to leave no stone unturned as they work towards the safe release of our dear learned friend.”

Grace Iringo-Koko, the Rivers State Police spokesperson reportedly confirmed the incident to newsmen on Tuesday.