Some members of the Anambra State Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association on Thursday boycotted all courts in the state over the kidnap of a state-based lawyer, Chukwubuikem Azoro.

According to the PUNCH, the body said they were also supporting the decision of the NBA, Idemili Branch, which had earlier declared May 16 and 17 a total shutdown of courts in the state and press for the release of their abducted colleague.

This notice of the boycott signed on behalf of the NBA, Anambra State branch, by the Chairman, Committee of Chairmen and Secretaries, NBA Branches, Anambra State, I.C. Nsofor, on Thursday stated that some yet-to-be-identified gunmen abducted Azoro around the Abagana area in the Njikoka Local Government Area of the state on Saturday. His whereabouts have remained unknown to date.

Azoro, the Secretary of the Idemili Branch of the NBA, was said to have been kidnapped two weeks after his wedding.

The abduction was also confirmed by the founder of Due Process Advocates, Attorney Emeka Ugwuonye, in a post on the group’s official Facebook page.

According to Ugwuonye, the advocacy group received a message from its head office in the United States of America that Azoro was kidnapped in Anambra State, where he lives and practices law.

He, however, called on the Anambra police command to leave no stone unturned in seeking the safe release of Azoro.

He said, “Barrister C.J.S. Azoro was kidnapped on Monday, two weeks after his memorable marriage in Anambra State. Our head office in the United States received a message this morning informing us that Mr. Azoro was kidnapped in Anambra State, where he lives and practices law.

“Our lawyers in Awka spoke so highly of Mr. Azoro as a dependable professional colleague they have collaborated with many times.

“Our sympathy goes to Mr Azoro’s family, especially his lovely wife, another professional colleague. We pray for his safety, and at the same time, we urge the Anambra State Government and the Nigerian Police to leave no stone unturned in seeking the safe release of Barrister Azoro.”

When contacted on the development, the Anambra State Police spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the command had not received the report of the lawyer’s abduction but said members of the NBA were at the command to see the Commissioner of Police.

Ikenga, however, did not disclose the reason for the visit.