Police Launch Intensive Rescue Operation For Abducted Kebbi High Court Judge

|  Kill terrorists without mercy, Matawalle tells troops

By Ejike Ejike and Kabir Wurma, Nicholas Dekera

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

Justice Bunza was reportedly kidnapped at about midnight on Saturday when armed men stormed his residence along Zogirma Road shortly after he returned from a trip to Sokoto State.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Kebbi State Command, SP Bashir Usman, said the command responded immediately after receiving a distress report.

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

According to him, security personnel have commenced intensive search operations in identified flashpoints, including nearby forests believed to be possible hideouts of the kidnappers.

“As we speak, our personnel are combing identified locations, including forest areas, to ensure that the judge is rescued alive and unharmed,” Usman stated.

Sources familiar with the incident said the gunmen invaded the judge’s residence shortly after he arrived from Sokoto and fired sporadically before whisking him away. No member of his family was injured during the attack.

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

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

He revealed that the High Court’s management had already met with the heads of the state’s security agencies to strengthen efforts to secure the judge’s immediate release.

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

The police said rescue operations were ongoing.

Earlier, a source in the area, who also requested anonymity, said that although no one in the house was hurt, the attackers fired sporadically into the air before taking the judge away.

Kill Terrorists Without Mercy, Matawalle Charges Troops

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has directed all military formations involved in counter-terrorism operations across the North-West to intensify efforts against armed groups, urging troops to adopt every lawful and necessary measure to eliminate terrorists.

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

The minister expressed sympathy to residents of Bungudu and other affected communities, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace and security despite the recent surge in attacks across parts of the North-West.

Matawalle also directed the leadership of Operation Fansan Yamma to remain resolute in the ongoing counter-terrorism campaign alongside other security agencies operating in the region.

He instructed Operation Fansan Yamma and all military formations operating in Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto and Kaduna states to intensify operations by employing every lawful and necessary measure to dismantle terrorist networks through targeted military operations.

The minister further appealed to traditional rulers and community leaders to support security agencies with credible and timely intelligence, particularly on individuals suspected of aiding terrorists with information or logistical support used to attack rural communities.

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

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

He specifically praised recent operations that led to the neutralisation of several suspected terrorists in Gummi, Bukkuyum, Anka, Tsafe, Faskari and other locations.

The minister urged troops to sustain the momentum and maintain pressure on terrorist groups until insecurity is brought to an end across all affected parts of the country.