Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has been abducted by suspected bandits who stormed his residence in Bunza Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday.
The judge had reportedly just returned from a trip to Sokoto State when armed men invaded his home along Zogirma Road around midnight, forcing their way inside and taking him to an unknown destination.
Sources familiar with the incident said no member of the judge’s family was injured during the attack, although the event caused panic in the neighbourhood.
Also Read: Mary Habila death: Unanswered questions one month after she died in Tinubu’s Minister House
The abduction was immediately reported to security agencies and the leadership of the Kebbi State High Court.
Police Launch Rescue Operation
The spokesperson for the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the incident and stated that the command had launched a coordinated rescue operation to secure the judge’s freedom.
Usman disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Muhammad Hadejia, ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence teams following reports of the abduction.
He added that security operatives are combing forests and other suspected hideouts across the area in a sustained effort to rescue Justice Bunza unhurt and apprehend the perpetrators.
Judiciary Voices Concern
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the incident as a disturbing development for the judiciary.
The official said the court’s leadership had commenced engagements with relevant security agencies to strengthen efforts aimed at locating and rescuing the abducted judge.
The abduction adds to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Kebbi State, where residents have continued to grapple with recurring attacks by armed criminal groups.
