Family paid N50m ransom to secure release of abducted Kebbi judge

The family of Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, has disclosed that N50 million was paid to secure his freedom after he was abducted by gunmen.

Justice Bunza was kidnapped in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, when armed bandits attacked his residence in Bunza Local Government Area shortly after he returned from a trip to Sokoto.

His release came on Monday after eight days in captivity, with confirmation from the Kebbi State Police Command, the Ministry of Justice, and members of his family.

In a statement, the state police spokesperson, Bashir Usman, said the judge had regained his freedom and reunited with his loved ones.

“With the judge now released, the police and other security agencies have intensified investigative efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the statement said.

The police also thanked residents and partner security agencies for their cooperation and urged the public to continue sharing useful information that could aid ongoing investigations.

A family member, who spoke anonymously due to lack of authorisation, confirmed that a ransom was indeed paid to the kidnappers. According to him, the abductors initially demanded N200 million but later agreed to N50 million after days of negotiation.

“We are still attending to him at home since his release on Monday. As you know, he needs time to recover from the trauma he went through.

“We will address the media when he has fully recovered, and we are ready to speak. We will then share details of his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. As for whether a ransom was paid, I can confirm that N50 million was paid,” the source said.

He added that the judge is currently recuperating at his residence and expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State government, security agencies, judiciary, and residents for their support.

“We are grateful to everyone who stood by us during this difficult period, especially the state government, the security agencies, the judiciary and all those who prayed for his safe return,” he said.

Another relative, who spoke to DCL Hausa, revealed that the ransom was delivered in a forest location more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi, as directed by the abductors believed to be about five in number.

The source also recounted an unusual demand made by the kidnappers shortly before the payment.

“While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called and asked us to bring five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks. They opened the drinks and consumed them in our presence before collecting the ransom,” the source said.

The family said they received news of the judge’s release early Monday morning.

“We were informed of his release around 6 to 7 a.m. He was brought home in a commercial vehicle conveying firewood and dropped in front of the house,” the family member said.

According to the source, the judge appeared physically unharmed upon his return.

“He is hale and hearty. There is nothing unusual about his physical appearance,” the source added.

Despite the ransom payment, the police reiterated their position against negotiating with kidnappers.

“Although the kidnappers made a ransom demand, the command maintains its firm stance against ransom payment,” the police said.

How the abduction happened

Gunmen stormed the judge’s residence on Zogirma Road in Bunza shortly after he arrived from Sokoto, firing multiple gunshots before taking him away. No other members of the household were injured during the attack.

A brother of the judge, Malam Shehu Yusuf Bunza, earlier recounted the incident, explaining how the attackers trailed him home.

Shehu said, “I was in Birnin Kebbi when one of his sons, Abdullahi, called me. He said about seven armed men followed his father as he was returning from Sokoto. As he drove into his compound and was getting out of his vehicle, they approached him.

“They asked if he was Justice Faruku. He denied it, saying Faruku had gone to Birnin Kebbi, but they insisted they knew he was the person they were looking for.

“He then asked them in Hausa, ‘Lafiya?’ They ordered him to keep quiet, but when he continued speaking, they brought out their guns and started shooting indiscriminately.

“They asked him to take them to his rooms, but he refused, saying there were married women inside.

“They also asked for one of his sons, Abdullahi, but he told them the boy had gone out. After that, they took him away on their motorcycles.”