Gunmen Abduct Kebbi High Court Judge as Police Launch Manhunt, Intensify Rescue Operation
Suspected gunmen have abducted a Judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area, prompting security agencies to launch a coordinated rescue operation.
The judge was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of Sunday, shortly after returning to his hometown from Sokoto State. The incident has heightened concerns over the safety of judicial officers amid rising insecurity across parts of the country.
A family source said the armed men stormed Justice Bunza’s residence along Zogirma Road around midnight, shouting as they carried out the operation, an action that alerted residents in the neighbourhood. Despite the commotion, the assailants escaped with the judge without harming other members of the household or nearby residents.
“Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza had just returned from Sokoto. Shortly after he arrived at his residence around midnight, armed men invaded the house and abducted him. They were shouting during the operation, attracting the attention of people around, but they left with him before anyone could intervene,” the source said.
The incident was immediately reported to the relevant authorities, including the management of the Kebbi State High Court, while the family appealed to security agencies and the state government to ensure the judge’s safe return.
“We are deeply worried about the abduction of our brother. We appeal to Nigerians to pray for his safe return and urge security agencies to act swiftly,” the family source added.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a major setback for the judiciary, disclosing that the court had begun consultations with security agencies to facilitate the judge’s rescue.
“It is indeed a painful moment for the judiciary. We have engaged the heads of security agencies in the state to strategise on securing his immediate release,” the official said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Hadejia, had deployed tactical and intelligence teams to rescue the abducted judge.
“I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight. Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure his safe rescue,” Usman said.
He added that security operatives had launched a coordinated manhunt for the abductors, combing suspected hideouts and surrounding forest areas, while assuring residents that every effort was being made to rescue the judge unharmed and bring those responsible to justice.
No group had claimed responsibility for the abduction as of the time of filing this report, while investigations into the incident were ongoing.