Kidnapped Kebbi High Court Judge Regains Freedom

Justice Faruk Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has regained his freedom after spending eight days in the custody of kidnappers who abducted him from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.

The judge was released on Monday, bringing relief to his family, colleagues, members of the legal profession and residents of Kebbi State who had expressed concern over his disappearance.

His release was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, family members and officials of the State Ministry of Justice.

Police spokesperson in the state, SP Bashir Usman, said the judge had safely reunited with his family following his release.

“With the judge now released, police and other security agencies have intensified investigative efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Usman stated.

Security agencies have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding his freedom. However, authorities said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible for the abduction.

The police also appreciated members of the public and partner security agencies for their cooperation throughout the period of the judge’s captivity.

Recall, Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Justice Bunza was kidnapped in the early hours of July 26 when heavily armed bandits stormed his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza.

According to accounts from family sources, the attackers arrived shortly after the judge returned from Sokoto State. Witnesses said the gunmen invaded the residence around midnight and whisked him away while shouting and firing sporadically into the air.

No member of his family was physically harmed during the operation.

The incident immediately led to a major security response across the state.

Police authorities deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to various locations, including forests and suspected hideouts, in an effort to rescue the judicial officer.

Many legal practitioners described the incident as a dangerous development and a threat to the justice system.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) was among the first organisations to react to the development.

The association condemned the kidnapping and called for the judge’s immediate and unconditional release.

NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), described the incident as “a direct attack on the Nigerian judiciary, the administration of justice, and the rule of law.”

The association warned that attacks on judicial officers could undermine public confidence in the nation’s justice system and called for stronger protection for judges and court officials.

In a related development, the abduction of Justice Faruk Bunza on July 26 drew strong reactions from legal bodies and judicial organisations within and outside Nigeria.

Shortly after news of the kidnapping emerged, the Nigerian Bar Association issued a statement demanding urgent action from security agencies.

In a statement dated July 27, NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) condemned the attack and described it as an assault on the country’s justice system.

“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemns the abduction of Honourable Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State by suspected armed bandits,” he said.

“This brazen attack on a serving judicial officer is not only an assault on the person of Justice Bunza but a direct attack on the Nigerian judiciary, the administration of justice, and the rule of law.”

The association urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Department of State Services and other security agencies to deploy every available resource to secure the judge’s release.

Moreover, NBA called on the Kebbi State Government to work closely with security agencies and ensure that those responsible were arrested and prosecuted.

The case attracted attention beyond Nigeria after the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) also reacted to the development on July 27.

The organisation expressed concern over the kidnapping and warned that attacks on judicial officers threaten the foundation of democratic governance.

Chairperson of the AJJF, Justice Professor Oagile Bethuel Key Dingake, said the safety of judges was critical to maintaining public confidence in the justice system.

“We extend our solidarity to Justice Bunza, his family, his judicial colleagues, the National Judicial Council, the Judiciary of Nigeria, and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria during this deeply distressing period and sincerely hope for his immediate and safe return,” he said.

The organisation added that judges must be able to perform their duties without fear, intimidation or violence.