Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the abduction of a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, describing the incident as a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s judiciary and the rule of law.
Justice Bunza was reportedly kidnapped by suspected armed bandits on Sunday night after gunmen invaded his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Reacting to the development, the NBA, in a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), called for the judge’s immediate and unconditional release while urging security agencies to intensify efforts to secure his freedom.
“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemns the abduction of Honourable Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State by suspected armed bandits.
“This brazen attack on a serving judicial officer is not only an assault on the person of Justice Bunza but a direct attack on the Nigerian judiciary, the administration of justice, and the rule of law,” the NBA said.
The association warned that the growing trend of attacks on judicial officers and other key public institutions poses a serious threat to the country’s justice system and could erode public confidence in the administration of justice.
It therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Security Adviser and other security agencies to deploy every available resource to ensure the safe rescue of the abducted judge.
The NBA also urged the Kebbi State Government to work closely with federal security agencies to facilitate Justice Bunza’s release and ensure those responsible for the abduction are apprehended and prosecuted.
In addition, the association stressed the need for improved security around judicial officers nationwide, noting that judges must be adequately protected while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
The legal body further expressed solidarity with Justice Bunza’s family, colleagues on the Bench and the Kebbi State judiciary, saying it remains hopeful that he will regain his freedom without delay.
Justice Bunza was abducted late Sunday shortly after returning to Kebbi from Sokoto State, according to a family source.
The source said the gunmen stormed the judge’s residence along Zogirma Road in Bunza and took him away, leaving other members of the household and nearby residents unharmed.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Kebbi State Police Command, SP Bashir Usman, said tactical and intelligence teams had been deployed to track down the kidnappers and rescue the judge.
He disclosed that security operatives had launched a coordinated manhunt, combing identified hideouts and nearby forests as efforts continue to secure Justice Bunza’s safe release.
As of the time of filing this report, no individual or group had claimed responsibility for the abduction.
