Kidnappers demand N200m ransom for abducted Kebbi judge

The assailants who k!dnapped Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, have demanded a ransom of N200 million for his release.

The development was disclosed on Monday by the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, during a press briefing in Birnin Kebbi, where he provided an update on the investigation into the judge’s abduction and the ongoing rescue operation.

Justice Bunza was abducted in the early hours of Sunday from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, an incident that has caused widespread concern among members of the judiciary, legal practitioners and residents of the state.

According to Hadejia, the police became aware of the N200 million ransom demand after launching a swift response to the incident.

He said information available to the command indicated that the kidnappers had established contact with the judge’s family and were demanding the huge sum before releasing him.

The commissioner disclosed that the family also informed the police that the abductors had contacted a registrar of the High Court in Abuja as part of efforts to negotiate the ransom.

He assured residents that the police and other security agencies were treating the matter with the seriousness it deserved and would continue to pursue every available lead to ensure the judge’s safe return.

The police boss also mentioned that the command had deployed a combined team of police operatives and other security personnel to comb forests and suspected escape routes believed to have been used by the k!dnappers.