By Ayo Kehinde
The abductors holding Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, have demanded ₦200 million for his release, as security agencies intensify a coordinated operation to rescue the judicial officer and bring his captors to justice.
The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, disclosed the development during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, where he gave an update on the investigation into the judge’s abduction and ongoing efforts to secure his freedom.
Justice Bunza was kidnapped in the early hours of Sunday when armed men stormed his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
According to the police commissioner, investigators established shortly after the incident that the abductors had opened communication with the judge’s family and were demanding N200 million before releasing him.
Hadejia further revealed that the family informed security operatives that the kidnappers had also contacted a registrar of the High Court in Abuja as part of efforts to facilitate negotiations over the ransom.
He, however, assured the public that security agencies were fully mobilised and pursuing every available lead to ensure the safe rescue of the judge without compromising the operation.
The commissioner said a combined team of police operatives, military personnel and other security agencies had launched an intensive search-and-rescue mission across forests and remote communities believed to be possible hideouts of the abductors.
He explained that intelligence-driven operations were ongoing across strategic locations and suspected escape routes to track the movement of the kidnappers and prevent them from relocating their victim to another hideout.
According to Hadejia, security operatives have also mounted multiple checkpoints along major highways and other strategic routes across Kebbi State to frustrate any attempt by the abductors to move the judge or evade arrest.
He expressed confidence that the coordinated operation would yield positive results, assuring residents that the command remained committed to rescuing Justice Bunza alive and prosecuting everyone connected with the crime.
The commissioner urged members of the public to remain calm and continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in locating the kidnappers and securing the judge’s release.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges, with judges, traditional rulers, politicians, business executives, religious leaders and ordinary citizens increasingly becoming targets of organised criminal groups.
