A serving judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, has been abducted by armed men who stormed his residence in Bunza Local Government Area, prompting a major security operation to secure his release.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the judge’s residence along Zogirma Road, shortly after he returned from a trip to Sokoto State.
According to family members, about seven armed men intercepted Justice Bunza as he arrived home and identified him before forcing him away on motorcycles.
His brother, Malam Shehu Yusuf Bunza, said one of the judge’s sons informed him that the attackers followed the judge to his residence before confronting him.
He said the assailants initially asked if he was Justice Faruku, but the judge denied his identity in an apparent attempt to avoid being kidnapped. However, the gunmen insisted they knew who he was.
When the judge continued speaking to them, the attackers reportedly opened fire to intimidate residents before demanding access to parts of the house. He declined to lead them inside, explaining that married women were in the rooms.
The gunmen also asked for one of his sons before eventually taking the judge away.
No other member of the household was injured during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the command had immediately deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track the kidnappers.
According to him, security operatives are combing forests and other identified locations in an effort to rescue the judge safely.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court described the abduction as a disturbing development for the judiciary, adding that court authorities had begun consultations with security agencies to support efforts aimed at securing the judge’s release.
The Kebbi State Government also assured residents that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure Justice Bunza regains his freedom.
Governor Nasir Idris’ Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, said the governor had directed security agencies to intensify rescue operations and expressed confidence that the judge would be reunited with his family.
Justice Bunza, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1990, was appointed a High Court judge in 2012 after serving in several judicial positions, including magistrate, Chief Magistrate and Deputy Chief Registrar.
The abduction has renewed concerns over insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria, particularly following recent attacks linked to armed criminal groups operating across the North-West.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has directed troops of Operation Fansan Yamma and other military formations operating in Zamfara, Kebbi, Sokoto, Katsina and Kaduna states to intensify offensive operations against terrorists and armed bandits.
Matawalle ordered commanders to strengthen surveillance, increase patrols and dismantle criminal hideouts, while urging communities to provide timely intelligence to security agencies.
Reacting to the incident, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the judge’s abduction underscores the country’s persistent security challenges.
In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to rescue all Nigerians still in captivity and provide regular updates on ongoing rescue operations.
The ADC argued that lasting public confidence would depend on sustained action against insecurity and equal attention to victims across all affected communities.
