Bandits who abducted a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, have reportedly demanded a ₦200 million ransom for his release, according to security sources.
The reported demand was disclosed on Tuesday by conflict reporter Bakatsine in a post on X, where he described the incident as another indication of the worsening security situation in Nigeria’s North-West.
He said the abduction of a serving judicial officer highlights the increasing boldness of criminal groups operating in the region and raises fresh concerns about the safety of public officials and residents.
Bakatsine noted that while bandits have traditionally targeted rural communities, farmers, travellers and traditional rulers, the kidnapping of a High Court judge suggests that armed groups are expanding their targets to include key state officials.
He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to address the growing insecurity and ensure the safe return of the judge.
Justice Bunza was reportedly abducted during a midnight attack on his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, shortly after returning from Sokoto State.
According to sources, the gunmen stormed the residence at about midnight, fired several shots into the air and whisked the judge away. No member of his family was injured during the operation.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the judge was kidnapped from his residence around midnight.
He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down the abductors and secure Justice Bunza’s safe release.
Usman added that security operatives were combing identified locations, including forest hideouts, as part of ongoing rescue efforts.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court described the incident as a major setback for the judiciary, expressing concern over the security of judicial officers across the state. The official said the abduction of a judge from his residence was deeply disturbing and called for stronger measures to protect judicial personnel.
