Suspected gunmen have abducted a judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in yet another incident highlighting Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
According to a family member who spoke on condition of anonymity, the armed men stormed the judge’s residence along Zogirma Road in the early hours of Sunday, shortly after he returned from Sokoto State.
The source disclosed that Justice Bunza arrived home around midnight before the attackers invaded the residence and forcefully whisked him away.
“Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza had just returned from Sokoto. Shortly after he arrived at his residence around midnight, armed men invaded the house and abducted him. They were shouting during the operation, attracting the attention of people around, but they left with him before anyone could intervene,” the family member said.
The source added that no other member of the household or neighbouring residents was injured during the attack. The incident was subsequently reported to security agencies and the management of the Kebbi State High Court.
The judge’s family appealed to security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his immediate release, while calling on Nigerians to pray for his safe return.
“We are deeply worried about the abduction of our brother. We appeal to Nigerians to pray for his safe return and urge security agencies to act swiftly,” the family source pleaded.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, described the incident as a serious blow to the judiciary.
“It is indeed a painful moment for the judiciary. We have engaged the heads of security agencies in the state to strategise on securing his immediate release,” the official said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, had immediately ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence teams to rescue the abducted judge.
“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight. Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure his safe rescue,” Usman said.
He disclosed that security operatives had launched a coordinated manhunt for the abductors, combing suspected hideouts and surrounding forest areas as part of efforts to locate the judge and secure his freedom.
The police spokesperson assured residents that the command was working in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure Justice Bunza’s unconditional release and bring those responsible for the abduction to justice.
The incident has further heightened concerns over the security of judicial officers and other public officials, coming amid continued cases of kidnapping for ransom and violent attacks by armed criminal groups across several parts of the country. It also underscores the growing challenge of insecurity in Nigeria despite ongoing security operations aimed at curbing criminal activities.