The abductors of Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Bunza, have demanded a ₦200 million ransom for his release, days after he was kidnapped from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area.
The development was confirmed on Tuesday by the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Hadejia, and the judge’s brother, Malami Bunza, in separate remarks to journalists in Birnin Kebbi.
Justice Bunza was abducted in the early hours of Sunday from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza, prompting security agencies to launch a rescue operation.
Commissioner Hadejia said the police received intelligence about the ransom demand after immediately responding to the incident.
According to him, a combined team of security operatives has been deployed to comb suspected escape routes used by the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the judge unharmed and arrest those behind the abduction.
The police commissioner also disclosed that several checkpoints had been mounted along strategic routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers to prevent their escape.
Hadejia expressed confidence that the ongoing operation would lead to the safe rescue of the judge and the arrest of those responsible.
He further revealed that the kidnappers had contacted a registrar of the High Court in Abuja as part of efforts to negotiate the ₦200 million ransom.
Meanwhile, the judge’s brother, Malami Bunza, confirmed that the family had also been contacted by the abductors.
“Yes, they contacted me; they asked for ₦200 million from the family. We don’t know what to do now, but we believe the authorities and security operatives are doing their duty to secure his release,” he said.
Security agencies have continued efforts to secure the judge’s freedom as investigations into the abduction remain ongoing.
