The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called on the Federal Government to move beyond reactive security measures and adopt pre-emptive strategies to end kidnapping and terrorism in Nigeria.
The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, made the call on Friday during the unveiling of the theme for the 2026 NBA Annual General Conference (AGC).
Osigwe warned that the country can no longer afford a culture of responding only after tragedies have occurred. He stressed that insecurity has reached a level where bold and unconventional steps are now unavoidable.
“It is not enough to keep rescuing people after they have been kidnapped. We must go beyond mere platitudes and take pre-emptive actions to ensure that kidnapping is brought to an end and that terrorism is decisively confronted,” he said.
“This is the time to move out of our comfort zone and do that which we have not done. Nigeria must go beyond assurances that all will be well. The actions of those in authority must show that they are ready to go beyond limits to find solutions to our problems,” he added.
According to him, the legal profession must take the lead in shaping national conversations on security, governance and the rule of law.
“As partners in building this nation, we in the NBA must face whatever limitations is placed against us, whether physical, mental, political or Socio-Economic, this is the time to dismantle those obstacles.”
“Going Beyond Limits”
Osigwe announced that the theme of the Conference is “Going Beyond Limits,” describing it as a direct response to the current realities facing the country.
“We chose that theme because we felt Nigerians and legal practitioners must learn to do things differently. This year, we have decided to take that further by choosing Going Beyond Limits. It may sound like a motivational theme, but at a time like this, it is a call to action,” he said.
“This is a time when school children were abducted in large numbers, when insecurity is spreading, and when Nigeria faces serious international scrutiny. It is a time for us to go beyond limits — beyond our comfort zones — and be part of finding solutions to Nigerian problems,” Osigwe added.
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The NBA leadership also renewed its advocacy for stronger use of law and technology in combating crime, particularly kidnapping.
Referring to the killing of lawyer Mediatrix Chigbo, Osigwe criticised the failure of law enforcement to respond promptly despite being alerted by her family.
“We must leverage on the law and technology to tackle these issues. We must make it difficult for kidnappers to collect ransom. That is one of the most practical ways to deal with this menace.”
“We are an advocacy group, and we will continue to advocate for better leadership,” he said.
Nigerian Bar Association Demands Pre-Emptive Action Against Kidnapping, Terrorism
