Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted a legal practitioner, Barrister Hashim Abdullahi, while he was returning from the recently concluded National Conference of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, MULAN, in Kano State.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the immediate-past National President of MULAN, Sa’idu Muhammad Tudunwada.
According to the statement, Abdullahi was intercepted and taken hostage while travelling back to his base in Kebbi State after attending the association’s annual national conference.
Tudunwada disclosed that the abductors had established contact with the victim’s family and associates and had made a series of ransom demands.
He said the kidnappers initially demanded ₦200 million for the lawyer’s release, later reduced the demand to about ₦100 million, and eventually settled for ₦50 million and five Boxer model motorcycles as conditions for freeing him.
The development has thrown members of the legal community, especially within MULAN, into distress, coming shortly after lawyers gathered in Kano for the association’s national conference.
Expressing sadness over the incident, Tudunwada called on members of the legal profession, MULAN members and the general public to pray for Abdullahi’s safe return.
“We pray to Allah SWT to grant him safety, protect him from all harm, and reunite him with his family in good health. May He bring him out of this trial safely and expose the perpetrators,” the statement read in part.
The former MULAN president also appealed to the abductors to release the lawyer immediately and unconditionally so that he could be reunited with his family.
He said the abduction of a lawyer returning from a professional religious and legal gathering was deeply troubling and underscored the worsening insecurity affecting citizens travelling across parts of the country.
The incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of road users, professionals and other citizens who continue to face the threat of kidnapping and armed attacks on major highways.
Members of the legal community have repeatedly raised alarm over attacks on lawyers, judges and other justice-sector workers, warning that insecurity poses a direct threat to access to justice and the rule of law.
As of the time of this report, there was no official confirmation that the ransom had been paid or that Abdullahi had regained freedom.
Security agencies are expected to intensify efforts to locate the victim, secure his release and apprehend those behind the abduction.
MULAN urged the public to continue praying for Abdullahi and his family while efforts continue to secure his safe return.
The post “₦50m, Five Motorcycles Demanded” — Bandits Abduct Lawyer Returning From MULAN Conference In Kano appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.
