Armed men stormed the residence, fired sporadically to scare residents and force their way into the premises before abducting the judge
By Haruna Usman, Birnin Kebbi
Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has been abducted by suspected bandits who invaded his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.
Sources said the incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday at the judge’s home along Zogirma Road, shortly after he returned from Sokoto State.
According to a reliable source, the armed men stormed the residence, fired sporadically to scare residents and force their way into the premises before abducting the judge.
“He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen invaded his residence and whisked him away. Although they fired several gunshots during the attack, no other member of the household was injured,” the source said.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying efforts were underway to secure the judge’s safe release.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Bashir Usman, said the judge was abducted around midnight from his residence in Bunza.
“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight,” the police spokesperson said.
Usman disclosed that upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, immediately ordered the deployment of tactical and intelligence operatives to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim.
“Following the report, the Commissioner of Police swiftly mobilised tactical and intelligence teams to the area. As we speak, our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest hideouts, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” he stated.
The abduction has sparked concern within the state’s judiciary.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, described the incident as a painful and disturbing development.
“Although I am not authorised to speak officially to the media, this is a deeply troubling moment for the judiciary. Learning that one of our judges was abducted from his residence is heartbreaking,” the official said.
He revealed that the management of the Kebbi State High Court had already met with heads of security agencies in the state to strategise on measures aimed at securing the judge’s immediate release.
Security agencies have intensified search operations across identified locations as efforts continue to rescue the abducted judicial officer and apprehend those responsible for the attack.