Police Intensify Rescue Efforts As Kidnappers Demand Ransom for Abducted Kebbi Judge

The Kebbi State Police Command says it has intensified efforts to rescue Justice Faruk Hassan , who was abducted by unidentified gunmen in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, disclosed that the High Court judge was kidnapped shortly after returning from Sokoto to his residence in Bunza Local Government Area.

The Police Commissioner said the Command swiftly mobilized a coordinated rescue operation immediately after receiving the distress call, deploying intelligence and technical resources in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure the victim’s safe release.

He confirmed that the abductors had made contact and demanded a ransom but declined to disclose further details, explaining that revealing operational information could undermine the ongoing rescue mission.

The Commissioner noted that kidnapping investigations require patience, intelligence gathering and sustained security operations to achieve positive results.

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He cited the Command’s recent success in the investigation into the abduction of the Deputy Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, during which one suspected kidnap kingpin was neutralized while another suspect was arrested after months of intelligence-led operations.

Hadejia also highlighted other major achievements recorded by the Command, including the arrest of the principal suspect in the Augie kidnapping and culpable homicide case, the foiling of an attempted kidnapping in Birnin Kebbi, significant progress in the investigation of the Yauri kidnapping case, the arrest of suspects involved in banditry and cattle rustling in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area, as well as the dismantling of a suspected criminal support network operating in Bagudo Local Government Area.

He reassured residents that the Police Command, working closely with other security agencies, remains committed to protecting lives and property across the state and urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and continue to provide credible information that will assist ongoing security operations.