Gunmen believed to be bandits have abducted Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area. The incident occurred late Saturday night, July 24, 2026, around midnight, shortly after the judge returned from a trip to Sokoto.
Details of the Abduction
Sources told Daily Trust that the attackers stormed the judge's home at about 12:00 am. “He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen stormed his residence and took him away,” a source said. The source added that no one in the house was hurt, though the attackers shouted sporadically before leaving with the judge. “Immediately the incident occurred, we reported to the appropriate authorities, including the leadership of the High Court,” the source said.
The Police Public Relations Officer for Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the abduction. “I can confirm that Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza was abducted from his residence in Bunza around midnight,” the PPRO stated. He said that upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure the judge's safe rescue. “As we speak, our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest areas, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” Usman added.
Judiciary Reacts
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident and described it as a sad development for the judiciary. “I am not authorized to speak formally, but this is a painful moment for us. To hear that one of our judges was abducted at his residence is very disturbing,” the official said. He added that the management of the High Court has already met with heads of security agencies in the state to strategize on securing the judge's immediate release.
