Reports from Kebbi State indicate that the armed Kidnappers holding Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court, are demanding a N200 million ransom from his family for his release.
The Commissioner of Police for the Kebbi State command, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, who disclosed the ransom demand while briefing journalists on Monday, July 27, 2026 in Birnin Kebbi, said the police received intelligence on the demand after launching a swift response to the judge’s abduction.
CP Muhammad Hadeja also said that the family of the kidnapped High Court judge also told the Kebbi State police command that the kidnappers contacted a Registrar of the High Court in Abuja regarding negotiations over the N200 million ransom.
Justice Hassan Bunz was abducted by armed bandits from his residence situated on Zorgirma Road, Bunza in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, following which the Police in Kebbi State intensified efforts aimed at rescuing him.
CP Muhammad Hadeja said the Command has already deployed a combined team of police operatives to comb suspected escape routes used by the kidnappers in a bid to rescue the judge unharmed and apprehend those responsible.
According to Muhammad: “Multiple checkpoints have been mounted along strategic routes believed to have been used by the abductors to prevent their escape and expressed confidence that the ongoing operation would lead to the safe rescue of the judge and the arrest of the kidnappers.
The police boss in Kebbi State also confirmed the killing of a suspected kidnapper, Abdulaziz Dogo, and the arrest of another suspect, Ibrahim Abdulwahab, both of whom are residents of Ilesha in Osun State.
He explained that the two suspects were arrested over the abduction of former Deputy Speaker of Kebbi State, Hon Muhammad Samaila Bagudo, on October 31, 2025.
The Commissioner of Police appealed to residents, particularly government officials, to avoid travelling late at night, stressing that such late journeys expose them to attacks by bandits and kidnappers.
