The immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Okey Wali, has been kidnapped in Port Harcourt, the lawyers body has said.

In a press statement Saturday, the NBA said it received the “shocking news” that Mr. Wali, its 26th President, was kidnapped by unknown persons on Saturday, October 11, at about 9 p.m.

Mr. Wali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an indigene of Rivers State, was elected the NBA’s president in 2012 and served in that capacity until July this year.

“Okey Wali SAN is a man of peace who has not only contributed immensely to the enthronement of rule of law and protection of human rights, but also to the development of our Nation,” the NBA said in the statement signed by Augustine Alegeh, its current president.

“It is therefore saddening that he should become a kidnap victim. This sad event is yet another reminder of the state of insecurity in which all Nigerians live.

“The NBA calls on the Federal Government to step up efforts to fulfil its primary constitutional role of providing for the welfare and security of all Nigerians. We passionately appeal to his abductors for his immediate and safe release to his family.”