Bandits abduct Kebbi high court Judge

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have abducted Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza. 

Bunza was abducted on Saturday night, July 24, 2026 at his home along Zogirma Road in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Sources who spoke to Daily Trust said the attack occurred at about 12:00am shortly after the judge returned from a trip to Sokoto.

“He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen stormed his residence and took him away,” the source said.

He added that, though nobody in the house was hurt while the attackers were shouting sporadically before moving away with him.

“Immediately the incident occurred, we reported to the appropriate authorities, including the leadership of the High Court,” he said.

The Police Public Relations Officer, 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 said.

The PPRO said on receiving the report on his abduction, the Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia , immediately deployed tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure his safe rescue.

“As we speak, our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest areas, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” the PPRO said.

A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident, describing 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 judge was abducted at his residence is very disturbing”, he 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 his immediate release.