Family says N50m ransom paid to secure release of abducted Kebbi judge

The family of Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, has confirmed paying a ransom of N50 million to secure his release after he spent eight days in captivity following his abduction by suspected bandits.

Justice Bunza was kidnapped in the early hours of July 26 when armed men invaded his residence in Bunza Local Government Area shortly after he returned from Sokoto State. He regained his freedom on Monday.

His release was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, the state Ministry of Justice and members of his family.

In a statement, the police said the judge had reunited safely with his family and assured the public that security agencies had intensified efforts to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

However, a family member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the kidnappers initially demanded N200 million before negotiations reduced the amount to N50 million, which was eventually paid.

The relative said the judge was receiving medical attention and psychological care at his residence as he recovered from the ordeal, adding that the family would provide further details after he had fully recovered.

Another family member claimed the ransom was delivered to the abductors at a forest location more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi. According to the source, the kidnappers requested five bottles of malt and five bottles of a soft drink shortly before collecting the money and consumed the drinks in the presence of those delivering the ransom.

The family said Justice Bunza was brought back home in a commercial vehicle transporting firewood and appeared to be in stable condition, with no visible signs of physical injury.

Despite the family’s account, the Kebbi State Police Command reiterated its opposition to ransom payments, stating that although the kidnappers demanded money, the command maintained its firm stance against paying ransom.

Justice Bunza’s abduction drew widespread condemnation from the legal community, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF), both of which described the incident as a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law.

The NBA called for enhanced security for judicial officers across the country, warning that attacks on judges undermine public confidence in the justice system. Similarly, the AJJF described the abduction as an assault on constitutional democracy and stressed that judges must be able to carry out their duties without fear or intimidation.

Although Kebbi State has experienced repeated attacks by armed groups in recent years, particularly in areas bordering Niger, Zamfara and Sokoto states, the abduction of a serving High Court judge marks a significant escalation in the state’s security challenges.