The family of Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza paid N50 million as ransom to secure his release from kidnappers in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.
Justice Bunza was kidnapped by armed bandits in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, and regained his freedom on Monday, August 3, after eight days in captivity. His release was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, his family and the state Ministry of Justice.
The abduction was the second reported kidnapping of a serving judge in Nigeria in recent times, following the abduction of Bayelsa State High Court Judge, Justice Ebiyerin Umokoro.
A member of Justice Bunza’s family, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment publicly, disclosed that N50 million was paid to the abductors. He said the judge was recovering at his residence in Bunza and receiving medical attention following his release.
According to the family member, the kidnappers initially demanded N200 million but later agreed to accept N50 million after several days of negotiations during the judge’s captivity.
“We are still attending to him at home since his release on Monday. As you know, he needs time to recover from the trauma he went through.
“We will address the media when he has fully recovered, and we are ready to speak. We will then share details of his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. As for whether a ransom was paid, I can confirm that N50 million was paid,” the source said.
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The family member also thanked the Kebbi State Government, security agencies, the state judiciary and residents for their support, prayers and concern during the judge’s abduction.
Another family member, who spoke to DCL Hausa, said about five abductors collected the ransom on Friday after directing the family to a location deep inside a forest, more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi.
According to the relative, the kidnappers made an unusual request shortly before the ransom was handed over. “While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called and asked us to bring five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks. They opened the drinks and consumed them in our presence before collecting the ransom,” the source said.
The family said it received news of the judge’s release between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Monday. “We were informed of his release around 6 to 7 a.m. He was brought home in a commercial vehicle conveying firewood and dropped in front of the house,” the family member said.
According to the source, the judge appeared to be in good health and showed no visible signs of physical distress after regaining his freedom. “He is hale and hearty. There is nothing unusual about his physical appearance,” the source added.
However, the Kebbi State Police Command said the abductors had demanded a ransom but maintained that it did not support the payment of ransom.
“Although the kidnappers made a ransom demand, the command maintains its firm stance against ransom payment,” the police said.
