Police Begin Intensive Rescue Operation for Abducted Kebbi Judge

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a coordinated operation to rescue a judge of the Kebbi State High Court, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, who was abducted by suspected bandits in Bunza Local Government Area of the state.

Justice Bunza was said to have been kidnapped about midnight Saturday when gunmen stormed his residence along Zogirma Road just after he returned from a trip to Sokoto State.

Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman confirmed the incident saying the Command responded immediately after receiving a distress report.

He stated that the state commissioner of police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, had ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence operatives to ensure the judge’s safe rescue.

Security personnel have launched intensive search operations in identified flashpoints including nearby forests suspected to be possible hideouts of the kidnappers, he said.

“Our personnel are busy combing the identified locations, including forest areas, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unhurt,” Usman said.

Sources close to the incident said the gunmen stormed the judge’s house shortly after he arrived from Sokoto and shot sporadically before taking him away. No one in his family was injured in the attack.

The incident was immediately reported to the security agencies and the leadership of Kebbi State High Court.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Kebbi State High Court who asked not to be named because he was not allowed to speak on the matter, described the abduction as a painful development for the judiciary.

He said the management of the High Court had met with the heads of the state’s security agencies to boost efforts to secure the judge’s immediate release.

At the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the abduction.

Authorities said rescue operations were underway.

Earlier, a source in the neighborhood, who also asked not to be named, said no one in the house was hurt but the assailants fired sporadically into the air before taking the judge away.

Matawalle Asks Troops to Kill Terrorists Without Mercy

“On his part, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, ordered all military formations involved in counter-terrorism operations in the North-West to intensify efforts against armed groups. “He urged troops to employ all lawful and necessary means to wipe out terrorists.

Matawalle gave the directive in a statement issued on Sunday by his Personal Assistant on Media, Ahmed Dan-Wudil, while sympathising with victims of recent terrorist attacks in Zamfara.

The minister expressed sympathy to the residents of Bungudu and other affected communities, assuring them that the Federal Government remains committed to restoring peace and security despite the recent upsurge in attacks across parts of the North-West.

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Matawalle also charged the leadership of Operation Fansan Yamma to maintain their resolve in the current counter-terrorism campaign in synergy with other security agencies operating in the region.

He ordered Operation Fansan Yamma and all military formations deployed in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states to scale up operations using all lawful and necessary means to dismantle terrorist networks through targeted military operations.

The minister also appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to help security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, particularly on persons suspected to be aiding terrorists with information or logistic support used to attack rural communities.

He also ordered senior military commanders in the most volatile operational areas to tighten surveillance and increase patrols in order to locate and destroy terrorist hideouts and safe havens before they can be used to launch further attacks.

Former governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle, commended the Armed Forces and other security personnel for their gallantry, professionalism and sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

He particularly commended recent operations that led to the neutralisation of several suspected terrorists in Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka, Tsafe, Faskari and other places.

The minister urged troops to maintain the momentum and keep the pressure on terrorist groups until insecurity is ended in all affected parts of the country.