The family of Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, has confirmed that a ransom of ₦50 million was paid to secure his release after he spent eight days in captivity.
Justice Bunza was abducted on July 26, 2026, when armed bandits attacked his residence in Bunza Local Government Area shortly after he returned from Sokoto State. He regained his freedom on Monday and has since reunited with his family.
According to a family member, the kidnappers initially demanded ₦200 million but later agreed to accept ₦50 million after several days of negotiations. The judge is currently receiving medical attention and recovering from the trauma of the ordeal.
Another relative disclosed that the ransom was delivered deep inside a forest more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi. The kidnappers reportedly requested five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks, consuming them before collecting the ransom.
The family said Justice Bunza was dropped near his residence early Monday morning in a commercial vehicle transporting firewood. They added that he appeared to be in good physical condition with no visible signs of injury.
Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the judge's release but maintained that it does not support ransom payments. Police said investigations have been intensified to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.
The kidnapping has drawn widespread condemnation from legal bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF), both of which described the incident as a serious threat to judicial independence and the rule of law. They called for stronger security measures to protect judicial officers across Nigeria.
The abduction has also raised fresh concerns over insecurity in Kebbi State, where armed bandit attacks continue to pose a major challenge despite ongoing security operations.
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