Bandits Abduct High Court Judge

A judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, has been kidnapped by suspected bandits after armed men attacked his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.

The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at the judge’s home along Zogirma Road, shortly after he reportedly returned from Sokoto State.

Sources familiar with the incident said the attackers stormed the residence at about midnight and fired several gunshots into the air before taking the judge away. Although the gunmen operated for several minutes, no member of his family or anyone else in the house was injured during the attack.

The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the abduction, saying Justice Bunza was taken from his residence by armed men.

Police spokesperson, SP Bashir Usman, said the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, ordered an immediate response after receiving information about the incident.

According to the command, tactical teams and intelligence officers have been deployed to search for the judge. Security operatives are currently carrying out operations in identified locations, including nearby forests, with the aim of rescuing him safely and arresting those responsible for the kidnapping.

A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court also confirmed the incident, describing it as a painful development for the state’s judiciary.

The official disclosed that the management of the High Court had already met with heads of security agencies in Kebbi to review the situation and coordinate efforts toward the judge’s immediate rescue.

The abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of the North-West, where kidnappings by armed groups continue to pose a major challenge despite ongoing security operations.