Armed bandits reportedly demanded and received about ₦50 million, five bottles of malt drinks, and five packs of fruit juice before releasing Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court, according to a family member involved in the negotiations.
Speaking in a Hausa-language interview monitored by SaharaReporters, the relative disclosed that he personally delivered the ransom deep inside a forest, where the kidnappers insisted on collecting the money themselves rather than through intermediaries or security officials.
According to him, the abductors contacted the family again while they were on their way to deliver the ransom, requesting five bottles of malt drinks and five packs of fruit juice after claiming they had exhausted the soft drinks they already had.
The ransom was reportedly delivered on Friday, while Justice Bunza regained his freedom on Monday morning after spending about one week in captivity. The judge was said to have been dropped at his family residence in a hired vehicle before security operatives took him for medical examination and debriefing.
The family member stated that the ransom exchange took place approximately 70–80 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi, deep inside a forest believed to be one of the bandits’ hideouts. He also said the judge returned home without visible injuries.
Justice Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State on July 26, an incident that sparked widespread concern among judicial officers, legal practitioners and residents. Following his release, the Kebbi State Police Command confirmed that investigations are continuing to identify and arrest those responsible for the kidnapping.
The incident once again underscores Nigeria’s worsening insecurity and the persistent menace of kidnapping for ransom, which continues to threaten the lives of ordinary citizens and public officials despite repeated government assurances of improved security.
