Kebbi Judge Freed After N50 Million Ransom Payment

Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court was abducted on July 26 by armed men at his residence in Bunza Local Government Area, Kebbi State, shortly after returning from Sokoto State. After eight days in captivity, he was released on Monday morning following a ransom payment of N50 million, which was negotiated down from an initial demand of N200 million.

The family confirmed that they were directed to a remote forest location over 70 kilometers from Birnin Kebbi for the ransom exchange, where they also provided five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks as requested by the kidnappers. Upon his release, family members reported that Justice Bunza appeared to be in good health with no visible injuries.

Despite the ransom payment, the Kebbi State Police Command reiterated its opposition to such payments, stating that they encourage further criminal activities. The Nigerian Bar Association condemned the kidnapping as a serious threat to the administration of justice.