Date: July 26, 2026
By Kimberly Wilson
BIRNIN KEBBI, Nigeria — Suspected armed terrorists have abducted a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, during a midnight attack on his residence in Bunza Local Government Area, deepening concerns over the deteriorating security situation in northwestern Nigeria.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the judge's home along Zogirma Road at approximately 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, shortly after Justice Bunza had returned from a trip to neighboring Sokoto State. Witnesses said the attackers fired several gunshots into the air before forcibly taking the judge away. No members of his family were physically injured during the raid.
A source familiar with the incident said the attack occurred only a short time after the judge arrived home.
"He had just returned from Sokoto when the gunmen invaded his residence and abducted him," the source said. "Immediately the incident happened, we alerted the relevant authorities, including the leadership of the High Court.
The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the abduction on Sunday. Police spokesperson SP Bashir Usman said Justice Bunza was kidnapped from his residence around midnight and assured the public that security agencies had immediately launched rescue operations.
According to the police, Commissioner of Police Umar Muhammad Hadejia has deployed tactical units, intelligence operatives, and specialized response teams to track down the kidnappers and secure the judge's safe release. Security personnel are reportedly combing forests and other suspected hideouts where the abductors may have fled.
"Our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest hideouts, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed," SP Usman said while confirming the ongoing operation.
A senior official of the Kebbi State High Court, speaking anonymously because he was not authorized to comment publicly, described the kidnapping as a disturbing attack on the judiciary.
"This is a painful moment for us. The abduction of one of our judges from his own residence is deeply disturbing," the official said, adding that court authorities had already met with security agencies to coordinate efforts aimed at securing Justice Bunza's immediate release.
As of Sunday, no individual or armed group had claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and authorities have not disclosed whether the abductors have contacted the judge's family or demanded a ransom. Investigations remain ongoing.
The incident comes just one day after another major kidnapping in northwestern Nigeria. Armed bandits recently abducted the Chairman of Bungudu Local Government Area in Zamfara State, Hon. Nura Umar Bungudu, during a late-night raid that left four security personnel dead before troops rescued several members of his family.
The latest attack highlights the growing boldness of criminal gangs operating across Nigeria's northwest. Armed groups have increasingly targeted government officials, traditional rulers, security personnel, and ordinary citizens despite ongoing military and police operations aimed at dismantling their networks.
Kebbi State has generally experienced fewer attacks than neighboring Zamfara, Sokoto, and Katsina states, but recent incidents suggest that bandit activity is spreading into previously less-affected areas. Security experts warn that the expansion of armed groups across the region continues to pose a serious challenge to law enforcement and public safety.
Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing any information that could assist in locating the abducted judge. Police say search operations will continue until Justice Bunza is rescued and those responsible for the attack are arrested and brought to justice.