Kebbi High Court Judge Regains Freedom After Week in Captivity

A Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Bunza, has regained his freedom following a seven-day ordeal in the custody of armed abductors.

Justice Bunza was seized from his residence in the Bunza Local Government Area on July 26, 2026. Security agencies and family sources confirmed his safe return home on Monday, bringing an end to days of anxiety within the legal community and across the state.

Confirming the development, the Kebbi State Police Command disclosed that both the judge’s family and the Kebbi State Ministry of Justice had verified his release. Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, stated that while the kidnappers had initially demanded a ransom, law enforcement agencies maintained a strict stance against paying abductors.

“With the judge now released, the police and other security agencies have intensified investigative efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” Usman said, urging members of the public to provide confidential information to aid the ongoing investigation.

Relatives expressed deep gratitude over the judge’s safe return, describing his reappearance as an answer to prayers. A family representative confirmed that Justice Bunza arrived home safely earlier in the day, though specific details surrounding the exact circumstances of his release remain undisclosed.

The judge’s abduction sparked widespread outrage across Northwest Nigeria, highlighting ongoing security concerns regarding banditry and targeted kidnappings in the region. His safe return brings significant relief to the judiciary, local officials, and residents who had actively called for swift action following his disappearance.