Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A relative of Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, the Kebbi State High Court judge who was abducted on July 26, 2026, has disclosed that the family paid approximately ₦50 million, along with five bottles of malt drink and five packs of fruit juice, to secure his release after a week in captivity. However, the Kebbi State Police Command has firmly denied that any ransom was paid, insisting that the judge's release was achieved without any financial transaction. The conflicting accounts have cast a shadow over the circumstances surrounding the jurist's freedom, raising questions about the veracity of both the family's claims and the police's position.
Justice Bunza was abducted from his residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area shortly after returning from Sokoto State on July 26. The gunmen shot sporadically before whisking him away, leaving his family and the legal community in a state of anxiety. The Kebbi State Police Command immediately launched a manhunt, with Commissioner of Police Umar Muhammad Hadejia confirming that a combined team of security operatives had been deployed to comb forests and suspected escape routes. The abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of N200 million for his release, a demand that heightened concerns over the increasing targeting of judicial officers in the region.
In an audio interview with DCL Hausa, a family member who claimed to have personally delivered the ransom deep inside a forest said the abductors collected the money directly, without any intermediary. "It was the bandits themselves who received it. As I'm speaking to you now, I was the one who delivered the money. I personally took it to them," the relative said. He recounted that about five armed bandits were present at the handover location, and that the family paid approximately ₦50 million to secure the judge's release. The relative also disclosed that the bandits made an additional demand for five bottles of Maltina and five packs of Dudu (a popular fruit juice) because they had already finished the soft drinks they had. "While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called us again. They told us to bring them five bottles of Maltina and five packs of Dudu," he said.
According to the relative, the ransom was delivered last Friday, and the judge regained his freedom on Monday, August 3, 2026, at about 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. He said Justice Bunza was dropped off at the family residence in a hired vehicle, and that he appeared completely unharmed. "He is completely fine. He is in good health. There isn't even a scratch on his body. He left in good health and has returned in good health," the relative stated. He added that the judge was subsequently taken away by security operatives for medical evaluation and debriefing.
However, the Kebbi State Police Command has categorically denied that any ransom was paid. In a statement issued on Monday, the command's Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, confirmed the judge's release but insisted that the police maintained its firm stance against ransom payments. "His release has been confirmed by his family and the State Ministry of Justice. According to the police authority, no dime was paid as ransom," the statement read. The police also disclosed that although the kidnappers had demanded a ransom, the command maintained its position against such payments, and that security agencies have intensified investigative efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
The conflicting accounts have created a cloud of uncertainty over the exact circumstances of the judge's release. While the family member's detailed testimony provides a vivid account of the ransom payment, the police's denial raises questions about the official narrative. The police have urged members of the public to provide useful information that could assist in the investigation, assuring that all information provided would be treated with utmost confidentiality. The command also appreciated the support and cooperation of the public and partner security agencies throughout the period, and reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across the state.
Justice Bunza's abduction had sparked widespread condemnation and renewed concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Kebbi State and the broader North-West region, where armed banditry and kidnappings for ransom have persisted despite ongoing military operations. The incident prompted members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, and residents to demand stronger security measures to secure his release and protect other public officials from similar attacks. The judge's release has brought immense relief to his family, the judiciary, and the people of Kebbi State, who had anxiously awaited news of his safe return. However, the conflicting accounts of how his freedom was secured have left lingering questions about the role of ransom payments and the effectiveness of the government's no-ransom policy.
As the police continue their investigation into the abduction, the public awaits further clarity on the circumstances surrounding Justice Bunza's release. The family has declined to comment further on the details of his freedom, stating only that they are grateful for his safe return. For now, the judge is recovering from his ordeal, while the debate over the payment of ransom and the government's stance on the issue continues to generate discussion across the country.
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