Family Confirms Ransom Paid for Kebbi Judge’s Release, Reveals Details

Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has regained his freedom after spending eight days in captivity following his abduction by armed men in Kebbi State.

The judge was released on Monday morning after his family paid a ransom of N50 million to his captors following days of negotiations, family sources have confirmed.

Justice Bunza was kidnapped in the early hours of July 26 when gunmen invaded his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The attackers reportedly struck shortly after the judge returned from a trip to Sokoto State.

According to family members, the armed men trailed the judge to his residence before carrying out the operation.

Witnesses said the attackers arrived in numbers and opened fire to scare residents before whisking him away on motorcycles.

A relative of the judge disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded N200 million for his release.

However, after several rounds of negotiations, the amount was reduced to N50 million.

The source said the family had no choice but to continue discussions with the abductors in a desperate effort to secure the judge’s freedom.

The judge was eventually released in the early hours of Monday and transported back home in a commercial vehicle.

A family member said relatives received information about his release between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

“We were informed early in the morning that he had been released. When he arrived, we saw that he was looking fine and there were no visible signs of injury on him,” the source said.

Details have also emerged about how the ransom was delivered to the abductors.

Another family member revealed that the kidnappers directed relatives to a remote forest location situated more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi for the exchange.

The source said the family followed the instructions given by the abductors and travelled deep into the forest to complete the transaction.

According to the relative, the kidnappers made an unusual request shortly before the ransom was handed over.

“While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called and asked us to bring five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks. They opened the drinks and consumed them in our presence before collecting the ransom,” the source said.

The family further disclosed that the abductors appeared to be a small group and maintained communication throughout the negotiation period.

Despite confirmation from the family that ransom was paid, the Kebbi State Police Command has reiterated its opposition to ransom payments.

The command acknowledged that a demand was made by the kidnappers but insisted that paying criminal groups encourages further attacks and abductions.

Police authorities also stated that efforts were underway to identify and apprehend those responsible for the incident.

However, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a serious threat to the administration of justice and the nation’s democratic institutions.

In a statement issued by its outgoing President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association said the attack on a serving judicial officer was deeply troubling.

He described the abduction as “a grave assault on the judiciary, the rule of law, and Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.”

The NBA called on relevant authorities to strengthen security around judicial officers and ensure judges are adequately protected while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

The Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) also expressed concern over the development.

Speaking on behalf of the organisation, its Chairperson, Justice Professor Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, said the incident highlighted the growing security challenges facing judicial officers on the continent.

According to him, “strikes at values that lie at the heart of every constitutional democracy.”

He added that judicial independence cannot be fully guaranteed where judges are exposed to threats, intimidation and physical harm.

Moreover, the kidnapping of Kebbi Judge comes barely a year after another serving judge, Justice Ebiyerin Umokoro of the Bayelsa State High Court, was abducted by gunmen.

Family members have expressed gratitude over Justice Bunza’s safe return and said their immediate focus is on his recovery after the traumatic experience.

They noted that the family would provide further details publicly after the judge has had sufficient time to rest and reunite with loved ones.