Bandits who abducted a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, have reportedly demanded ₦200 million as ransom for his release, raising fresh concerns over the growing audacity of criminal gangs operating across Nigeria’s North-West.
The ransom demand was disclosed on Tuesday by conflict reporter Bakatsine, citing sources familiar with the development.
“UPDATE: The bandits who abducted Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, have reportedly demanded ₦200 million ransom for his release,” Bakatsine wrote on X.
He described the development as another indication of the worsening security crisis in the region.
“The development makes the situation even more alarming. The kidnapping of a serving judicial officer shows how emboldened criminal groups have become and raises serious concerns about the safety of public officials and citizens across the Northwest,” he stated.
Bakatsine noted that while rural communities, farmers, travellers and traditional rulers have long borne the brunt of bandit attacks, the abduction of a serving judge signals an expansion in the targets of armed groups.
“For years, rural communities, farmers, travellers and traditional leaders have been the main targets. The reported abduction of a High Court judge suggests that criminals are now expanding their reach to individuals representing key institutions of the state,” he added.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to tackle the growing insecurity.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Justice Bunza was abducted during a midnight raid on his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, shortly after returning from a trip to Sokoto State.
According to sources, the gunmen stormed the judge’s residence at about midnight, firing sporadically into the air before whisking him away. No member of his household was reportedly injured during the attack.
“He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen invaded his residence and abducted him,” a source told SaharaReporters.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence around midnight.
“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight,” Usman said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track the abductors and secure the judge’s safe release.
“Our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest hideouts, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” the police spokesperson said.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court described the abduction as a major setback for the judiciary, expressing concern over the safety of judicial officers.
“This is a painful moment for us. The abduction of one of our judges from his own residence is deeply disturbing,” the official said.