Kidnapped Kebbi Judge Regains Freedom After Eight Days

(Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza. Photo by Leadership News)

After being held captive by kidnappers for eight days, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court was rescued. His family described his homecoming home on Monday.

Shortly after returning from a vacation to Sokoto, the judge was kidnapped early on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from his home along Zogirma Road.

His captors allegedly sought N200 million as ransom after the kidnapping.

Speaking in a telephone interview with a news correspondent on Monday evening, the judge's younger brother, Malam Shehu Yusuf, said Justice Bunza was released in the early hours of Monday and arrived at his residence in Bunza, Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, at about 8am in a commercial vehicle.

He recalled seeing the judge step out of the vehicle and walk straight into his house in Bunza, adding that relatives, neighbours and well-wishers gathered at the residence to welcome him following his return.

According to Yusuf, while Justice Bunza was exchanging pleasantries with family members and visitors, security personnel arrived and took him to a hospital for medical evaluation.

He said they were told the judge would be brought back home in the evening, but the family was still awaiting his return at the time of the interview.

Responding to questions on whether the family paid a ransom, Yusuf maintained that no payment was made by the family to secure his brother's release.

However, unconfirmed reports claimed that ₦50 million was paid to the abductors before the judge was freed.

Yusuf said the judge appeared to be in good health and was able to recognise and identify those who came to welcome him after his release.

He also commended what he described as the efforts of "unsung heroes" who played key roles in securing the judge's freedom.

Meanwhile, the Kebbi State Police Command has vowed to apprehend those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

The command's spokesman, Bashir Usman, stated this in a statement issued shortly after the judge regained his freedom, assuring residents that efforts were underway to track down those behind the abd*ction.