The Nigeria Police Force has initiated 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 reportedly kidnapped around midnight Saturday when gunmen stormed his residence along Zogirma Road shortly after he returned from a trip to Sokoto State.
SP Bashir Usman, Police Public Relations Officer, Kebbi State Command, confirmed the incident, noting that the Command responded immediately after receiving a distress report.
He said the state commissioner of police, CP Umar Muhammad Hadejia, had ordered the immediate deployment of tactical and intelligence operatives for the safe rescue of the judge.
He said security personnel have launched intensive search operations in identified flashpoints including nearby forests suspected to be possible hideouts of the kidnappers.
“Our men are busy combing the identified places 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 returned from Sokoto and shot sporadically before whisking him away. No one in his family was hurt in the attack.
The incident was reported immediately to the security agencies and leadership of the Kebbi State High Court.
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 held a meeting with the heads of the state’s security agencies to step up efforts to secure the immediate release of the judge.
No group had claimed responsibility for the abduction when this report was filed.
Rescue operations were underway, authorities said.
Later, a source in the neighbourhood, also not wanting to be named, said no one in the house was injured but the assailants shot sporadically into the air before taking the judge away.
Matawalle Orders Troops to Kill Terrorists Without Mercy
“The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, on his part, ordered all military formations engaged in counter-terrorism operations in the North-West to intensify efforts against armed groups. “He urged troops to use 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 sympathizing with victims of recent terrorist attacks in Zamfara.
The minister sympathised with residents of Bungudu and other affected communities, assuring that the Federal Government is committed to restoring peace and security despite the recent upsurge of attacks in parts of the North-West.
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Matawalle also charged the leadership of Operation Fansan Yamma to keep up 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 intensify operations through all lawful and necessary means to dismantle terrorist networks through targeted military operations.
The minister also called on traditional rulers and community leaders to assist security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, especially 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 to locate and destroy terrorist hideouts and safe havens before they can be used to launch further attacks.
Matawalle, a former governor of Zamfara State, 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 neutralisation of several suspected terrorists in Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka, Tsafe, Faskari and other places.
The minister also called on the troops to sustain the momentum and keep up the pressure on terrorist groups until insecurity is ended in all affected parts of the country.