Freed After 9 Days in Captivity: Justice Bunza Narrates Ordeal, Dramatic Escape

Freed After 9 Days in Captivity: Justice Bunza Narrates Ordeal, Dramatic Escape 

BUNZA - Hon. Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza has recounted how he endured nine days in the custody of bandits before making his way home on August 3, 2026, in Bunza, Kebbi State.




The judge was abducted in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, from his residence in Unguwar Chaki Quarter, Bunza Local Government Area. He returned home on Monday morning after escaping from his abductors.



Speaking during a sympathy visit by this correspondent to his home, Justice Bunza described the events of the night he was taken during the interaction. “Around 11 to 12 midnight that day, I drove into my compound and alighted to open the gate. Before I could lock it, five armed men surrounded me. They were asking for Justice Faruku,” he said.  


“I asked what they wanted. They answered, ‘We are kidnappers. We came for him.’ They attempted to enter my house where my wives and children were. I told them that married women were inside and that they had no right to see them,” he added.


He said the commotion alerted his family before the gunmen forced him out through a path behind the house.  
“They dragged me out and we trekked toward the bush. From there, we moved in the direction of Zogirma, then toward Kamba and Dakingari road on foot. 


We climbed a hill, crossed the highway to Kamba, and entered another forest. We walked about 20 kilometers, changing direction several times, until we reached a bush near Tungar Dalla village,” he stated.  


“At Tungar Dalla, we boarded motorcycles. My face was covered and my hands were bound. We followed Dakingari road to their hideout, a hill behind the NYSC Camp in Dakingari,” he said.


Justice Bunza said he was not physically assaulted during the period.  “They did not beat, insult or maltreat me. My hands and legs were tied, and I was guarded with guns throughout the nine days,” he said.  



“They fed me food similar to what I eat at home. Twice a day, they gave me one bottle of Faro water and a can of Maltina,” he added. “They told me, ‘Alhaji, we will not kill you. Ask your family to bring money and we will release you,’” he recalled.



He explained that he was permitted to make phone calls to relatives. “Whenever I needed to call my family, they handed me my phone and collected it after. Within 24 hours of my abduction, they unlocked my phone and asked me to seek help. I called my brother, some judiciary staff and members of my family,” he said.


 “I remained in contact with them from the early hours of Sunday, July 26, 2026, until Monday, August 3, 2026, when I returned home to the shock of many,” he added.



The judge narrated how he escaped on the evening of Sunday, August 2, 2026, on a hill near Bandam village, directly behind NYSC Camp, Dakingari. “We were on top of a hill. The bandits communicated with gestures and wore face coverings. Suddenly, we heard gunshots. They became agitated. One said, ‘Shoot him.’ Another replied, ‘No.’ One even threatened to seize the other’s gun if he failed to shoot me,” he said.  




“After some minutes, their voices faded. I sensed they were no longer around. I cautiously opened my eyes to check. On the day I arrived at the camp, I met two Fulani men. Their treatment was harsher. They were beaten and given different food and water,” he noted.


He said the Fulani men had fled a day earlier.  
“When I was convinced they had run away, I used my free hand to untie the other hand. I looked around carefully. Seeing no one, I, with God’s help, loosened the rope on one leg and stood up,” he said.  “Because of the rope on the other leg, it took me a long time to descend the hill. By the time I got down, it was night,” he added.


Justice Bunza said he continued moving despite the darkness. “I crossed a shallow river, thank God. I walked through thick forest without knowing the direction. Later, I saw lights in the distance and headed toward them, believing I was approaching a village or road,” he said.  


“I spent the night in the bush close to the road. At dawn, I continued and reached farmlands around Kwanar Bandam village, along the main road linking Dakingari, Bunza and Birnin Kebbi,” he stated.


He said a farmer helped him secure transportation.  
“I stood at the roadside. A farmer assisted me to flag down a motorcycle, but we could not agree on the fare. Later, a commercial vehicle arrived with space available. I told the driver I was going to Bunza and boarded,” he said.  


“I used my long gown to cover the leg that still had rope so other passengers would not notice. Inside the vehicle, they were discussing my abduction, unaware I was the victim. I remained silent until we neared my home,” he said.  
“I asked the driver to drop me at my house and offered an extra N1,000 on top of the agreed N3,000 fare. When we arrived, people were seated in front of my house. They stood up and shouted, ‘Alhamdulillah, sir you are back. Welcome.’ That was how the news spread,” he said.


After his return, security operatives took him to hospital for medical attention before he was discharged.  
“Since my return, people have been coming to my house to sympathize with me,” he said.

On his observation in captivity, the judge said:  
“From what I saw, those involved in banditry and kidnapping for ransom are uneducated and have no lawful means of livelihood. Even while holding captives in the forest, they live in fear. They are not many,” he said.  

“While I was with them, they were negotiating ransom with my relatives. I was informed that N50 million was paid. I believe they fled to go and share the money,” he said.

Justice Bunza further disclosed details of how the abduction was carried out and the ransom negotiations. 
 
He said the gunmen fired several shots into the air when they stormed his residence to scare residents before taking him away.  “No one was killed or injured during the operation,” he said.


According to him, the kidnappers contacted his relatives the following day using his mobile phone and initially demanded N200 million. “After days of negotiation, an agreement was reached at N50 million,” he said.


He said the payment was made before they left him and ran away on August 2, after which the bandits reportedly fled and abandoned him on top of the hill. “The hill close to Bandam village, directly behind NYSC Camp, Dakingari, is about 49 kilometers from Bunza. They took me through different routes before we reached the western side of Bunza town,” he said.  


“I trekked about 20 to 25 kilometers barefoot before we got to Tungar Dalla, where they had parked their motorcycles to avoid detection,” he added.


Justice Bunza also said the abductors monitored news about his case on social media while in the camp.  
“They opened their mobile phones and showed me reports of my abduction on social media platforms. That was when I realized they were following the news,” he said.



He further observed that the bandits did not observe the five daily prayers at all. “The bandits did not observe their five daily prayers at all. So whenever I asked them for permission that I wanted to pray, they would tell me, ‘We done  prayer.’ I then observed my own prayers through Tayammam because they did not allow me to perform ablution,” he said.




He described his abduction as an act of God and expressed gratitude for his safe return.  “This is how my abduction happened and how I returned home. I see it as an act of God. I have no regrets because I believe in God as a good Muslim with faith. Today, my abduction has become history,” he said.  



“I thank God Almighty for everything that happened to me. I also thank and appreciate everyone, particularly my colleagues in the judiciary, as well as family members, friends and well-wishers. This has shown me that one should believe in God and relate with people cordially. People I did not even expect have shown serious concern. Once again, I thank God for everything. Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah!! Alhamdulillah!!!”