Suspected kidnappers who abducted Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court have demanded a ₦200 million ransom for his release as security agencies intensify efforts to rescue the judicial officer unharmed.
According to a Daily Post report, Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, disclosed the development while briefing journalists in Birnin Kebbi on Monday.
Justice Bunza was abducted from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday.
Hadejia said intelligence received by the police indicated that the abductors contacted members of the judge’s family and demanded ₦200 million before releasing him.
The police commissioner also disclosed that the kidnappers contacted a registrar of the High Court in Abuja in connection with negotiations over the ransom.
“Following our swift intervention after the abduction, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, a combined team of police officers was immediately deployed to the judge’s residence,” Hadejia said.
“During the operation, we got information that the abductors had demanded ₦200 million from the victim’s family before releasing him.”
He said the command had deployed tactical and intelligence operatives, alongside personnel from other security agencies, to search forests and suspected escape routes believed to have been used by the kidnappers.
“My command has also deployed a combined team of police personnel to comb all suspected escape routes used by the abductors with a view to arresting them and rescuing the High Court judge unharmed,” he added.
Hadejia said checkpoints and roadblocks had been established along strategic routes to restrict the kidnappers’ movement and prevent them from relocating the victim.
Surveillance has also been intensified in communities and other locations considered possible hideouts or transit points for the abductors.
The commissioner expressed confidence that the combined security operation would lead to Justice Bunza’s safe rescue and the arrest of those responsible for the abduction.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security agencies with credible information that could assist the operation, assuring the public that the command remained committed to securing the judge’s freedom and bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Hadejia also advised residents, particularly government officials and other prominent individuals, to avoid unnecessary late-night travel because of the prevailing security situation.
He warned that travelling at midnight could expose road users to attacks by bandits and other criminal groups.
The commissioner said members of Justice Bunza’s family informed investigators that the judge frequently travelled at night despite the security challenges in the area.
In a separate development, Hadejia disclosed that one Abdulaziz Dogo had been killed and another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulwahab, arrested in connection with the abduction of former Kebbi State House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Samaila Bagudo.
Dogo and Abdulwahab were said to be residents of Ilesha in Kwara State, while Bagudo was abducted on October 31, 2025.
Police said efforts were continuing to track Justice Bunza’s abductors, dismantle their network and secure his safe release.