Shocking Abduction: Kebbi High Court Judge Faruk Bunza Kidnapped By Gunmen

A Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, was abducted from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Sunday. The incident, confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command through its Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Bashir Usman, involved suspected terrorists or gunmen. Justice Bunza had just returned from a trip to Sokoto when approximately seven armed men stormed his compound and took him away on motorcycles.

According to Malam Shehu Yusuf Bunza, the judge's brother, one of Justice Bunza's sons, Abdullahi, recounted the ordeal. The gunmen confronted Justice Bunza as he was exiting his vehicle, specifically asking for him. Despite his initial denial, they insisted they knew who he was. When he continued to speak in Hausa, they fired several gunshots indiscriminately, ordered him to lead them to his rooms (which he refused, citing the presence of married women), and also inquired about Abdullahi (who was not present). No other person in the house was injured during the abduction.

Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, immediately deployed personnel from the Tactical and Intelligence units to ensure the safe rescue of the judge. SP Bashir Usman stated that operatives are currently combing identified locations, including forest areas, to secure his alive and unharmed return. A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, speaking anonymously, described the abduction as a deeply disturbing development for the judiciary, confirming that the High Court management had met with heads of security agencies to strategize on his release. As of the time of reporting, no group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.

This marks the second abduction of a serving judge in recent times, following the kidnapping of Justice Ebiyerin Umokoro in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, in June 2025, who was freed after 12 days. While Kebbi State has experienced bandit attacks, largely concentrated in its southern and eastern parts bordering Niger, Zamfara, and Sokoto states, Bunza LGA has not typically been a hotspot. Notable past incidents include the November 2025 attack on Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, where the vice principal was killed and 25 schoolgirls abducted (later rescued). The abduction of Justice Bunza, therefore, signifies a significant escalation in the state's security challenges.

Malam Shehu Yusuf Bunza appealed to the government and security agencies for help, describing his brother as a peaceful and humble man with no known enemies. He highlighted the family's deep worry and emphasized Justice Bunza's quiet life, rarely venturing out, especially in public places like markets. Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Nasir Idris, confirmed the state government's close collaboration with security agencies and the governor's directive for intensified rescue efforts, expressing optimism for Justice Bunza's swift and safe return.

Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, born on November 15, 1960, in Bunza Local Government Area, is an esteemed member of the judiciary. He attended Bunza Waje Primary School, Haliru Abdu Teachers College, the College of Legal and Islamic Studies, Sokoto, and Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto. He was called to the Bar in 1990 after completing the Nigerian Law School in Lagos. His career includes serving as a magistrate, Chief Magistrate, and Deputy Chief Registrar before his appointment as a high court judge in 2012.

In a broader context of insecurity in the North-West, the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, has directed troops of 'Operation Fansan Yamma' and other military formations to intensify