Judge Faruku Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has been freed from detention.

On July 26, Bunza was abducted from his residence on Zogirma Road in Bunza LGA in Kebbi.

Shortly after returning from a trip to Sokoto, the judge was kidnapped.

August 3, 2026, was his release date.

The family and the state's minister of justice verified Bunza's release, according to a statement made on Monday by Kebbi police spokesperson Bashir Usman.

Usman stated that the abductors demanded a ransom and that the Kebbi police headquarters is adamantly opposed to paying a ransom.

Whether the ransom was paid prior to the judge's release was not disclosed by the Kebbi police spokeswoman.

“The Kebbi State Police Command wishes to inform the public that Hon. Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, a Judge of the Kebbi State High Court who was abducted from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area on 26th July 2026, was released earlier today, 3rd August 2026,” the statement reads.

“His release has been confirmed by his family and the State Ministry of Justice. Although the kidnappers made a ransom demand, the Command maintains its firm stance against ransom payments.

Source