Gunmen abduct Kebbi High Court judge from residence

Suspected bandits have abducted a judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, in a fresh incident highlighting the growing security challenges confronting Nigeria’s North-West region.

The judge was reportedly kidnapped in the early hours of the day when heavily armed assailants invaded his residence, overpowering security around the area before whisking him away to an unknown destination.

Although details surrounding the attack remain sketchy, sources within the community said the gunmen carried out the operation without facing significant resistance, leaving residents in shock.

The abduction has sent ripples through the judiciary and legal community, raising renewed concerns over the safety of judicial officers, public officials and residents in areas frequently targeted by armed criminal groups.

Justice Bunza, who serves on the Kebbi State High Court Bench, is regarded as one of the state’s senior judicial officers. His kidnapping marks one of the rare instances in which a serving judge has been directly targeted by suspected bandits in the state.

Security sources said efforts had been launched to locate the abducted judge and secure his safe release, with security agencies reportedly deploying personnel to track the kidnappers.

READ ALSO; Troops repel bandits, recover armoured vehicles, motorcycles in Zamfara

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the circumstances surrounding the abduction or disclose whether contact had been established with the kidnappers.

The incident has further intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in parts of Kebbi State and neighbouring states, where armed bandit groups have continued to carry out kidnappings, attacks on communities and other violent crimes despite ongoing security operations.

Legal practitioners have also expressed concern over the latest development, warning that attacks on members of the judiciary could undermine public confidence in the administration of justice and the rule of law.

Residents of Bunza Local Government Area have called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the judge and strengthen security across vulnerable communities to prevent similar incidents.

The latest abduction adds to the growing list of high-profile kidnappings recorded across northern Nigeria, where banditry and ransom-related crimes remain major security challenges despite sustained military offensives against criminal gangs.

Security agencies are expected to provide further updates as investigations and rescue operations continue.