Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has shared a harrowing account of his eight-day captivity after being abducted from his home in Bunza Local Government Area on July 26. The judge, who was released on August 3, described how he was forced to trek 25 kilometres barefoot to a bandits’ camp in Dutsen Bandan, where he was held alongside two other kidnapped Fulani men. His ordeal, which drew national attention, highlights the growing insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West region and the vulnerability of public officials.
According to a report by conflict journalist Bakastine, five armed men stormed Bunza’s residence and took him at gunpoint. During his captivity, the bandits showed him photographs of himself and Nura Umar Abdullahi, Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, revealing they had been instructed to kidnap both men. However, they refused to disclose who gave the order. The abductors also displayed newspaper reports about his abduction and mentioned that N200 million had been set aside for his release, though this figure was not confirmed.
Bunza recounted that around 20 bandits operated from the camp, relying on local informants for intelligence and maintaining communication with their families. Despite being heavily armed, the group remained cautious, once warning him against coughing for fear of attracting attention. He said the camp was isolated but well-organized, with strict rules enforced by the captors.
His family eventually paid N50 million to secure his release, after which most of the bandits left the camp, leaving only two behind to guard him. It was during this time that Bunza overheard the two remaining captors arguing—one suggesting he should be killed. Realizing he was alone around 5 pm, he removed the cloth covering his face and fled on foot. He eventually reached a nearby village and boarded a commercial motorcycle to safety.
The judge’s release was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, his family, and the state Ministry of Justice. In a statement, Bunza expressed resilience, saying his kidnapping would not deter him from his duties. “My kidnapping can never deter me from my work. I swear to Almighty Allah, nothing on this earth can change my attitude to work. It will motivate me to double my effort,” he stated.
This incident underscores the persistent threat of armed banditry in northern Nigeria and raises concerns about the safety of judicial personnel. As security agencies continue to combat these groups, cases like Bunza’s serve as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those serving in high-risk areas. The story is likely to fuel calls for stronger protection measures for public servants and more effective strategies to dismantle criminal networks operating across state borders.
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