After nine days in captivity and subsequently regaining freedom, Weekend Trust tracked Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza to his residence at Unguwar Chaki quarters, Bunza, for an insight into his experience in the bush and more. Although he had to undergo medical checks after his release, the judge, who appeared to still be recuperating from the ordeal in the bush, opened his door to our correspondent. Justice Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court was abducted from his residence in the early hours of Saturday, July 26, 2026, and he regained freedom on Monday, August 3, 2026, about nine days after. Weekend Trust had earlier gathered from his relatives that the sum of N50 million was paid as ransom. It was learnt that five-armed men stormed the judge’s residence at about 12 midnight, fired several shots into the air to scare residents, and whisked him away. No one was killed or injured during the operation, which lasted only a few minutes. Over 40,000 security personnel in Osun as election holds today I run and jump like an 18-year-old – General John Atom Kpera The following day, Sunday, July 27, the abductors contacted the family and demanded N200 million as ransom. After negotiations, the amount was reduced to N50 million. On Monday, August 3, it was gathered that the ransom was paid and the bandits abandoned Justice Bunza on top of a hill before deserting their camp. Speaking with our correspondent, the judge said he was held about 49km from his hometown at Dutsen Bandan,on a hill behind the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) permanent orientation camp in Dakin Gari, Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State. A resident of Bunza, who pleaded anonymity, told our correspondent that Dutsen Bandan is a known bandits’ hideout and that, “People have been complaining about the movement of suspected bandits around the hill.” The kidnap In an interaction with Weekend Trust, Justice Bunza said, “When the five-armed men stormed my residence and asked me to follow them, I didn’t resist. We came out and moved east through a road adjacent to my house, passing behind other residences. From there we turned north toward a small irrigation site, Fadama. We trekked for a few meters, turned west and returned to the main road. We crossed it and headed to the hill on the western part of Bunza town. “On getting to the hill, we moved south toward the Bunza-Kamba Road. We crossed the road and continued trekking. After trekking for about 25km barefooted, we arrived at Tungar Bandan junction where they parked their motorcycles to avoid detection. From there we rode for about 24km before arriving at Dutsen Bandan, their main camp in Dakin Gari, headquarters of Suru LGA. In all, I was kept about 49km away from my family for nine days. I suspect my abductors had been monitoring me for a long time. They have informants who gave them details about me.” Life in captivity At the camp, Justice Bunza said there were not more than 20 bandits. “I was asked to climb the hill. I had trekked 25km barefooted, so it was difficult, but they didn’t care. On top of the hill, I met two other Fulani men who had also been kidnapped. Five-armed bandits guarded us while the rest stayed with their families down the hill. “The next day, Sunday, they brought two photographs — mine and that of the chairman of Bugudu LGA in Zamfara State, Nura Umar Abdullahi. They asked if it was me and said they were ordered to kidnap both of us, but they didn’t mention who gave the order. “They also showed me a newspaper report about my abduction. They said they heard President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed that N200m be paid for my release, but someone stopped it. That shows they monitor news and social media.” Justice Bunza further observed that the bandits live normal lives with their wives and children at their camps, noting that “At the Dutsen Bandan camp, I observed that the bandits sleep, cook and interact with their families there just as we do in our houses. “Unfortunately, the bandits do not observe the five daily prayers. When it was time for prayer, I prayed alone. I performed dry ablution, Tayammum, and observed my prayers. However, I could hear them reciting the Holy Qur’an every day. I could hear the five bandits guarding us reciting the Qur’an daily, but they did not pray at all,” he said. He recalled that the bandits at the Dutsen Bandan camp were not many. The bandits were not more than 20 at the camp. So, the government can easily crush them. They rely on informants who bring them information from town. “Most of these informants are young children of bandits. From my observation, roles among the bandits depend on age. While the younger ones serve as informants and errand boys, the adults are the foot soldiers. They carry arms and actively participate in operations. “Though the bandits were armed, they were always fearful and on high alert. They warned us kidnap victims to remain quiet and calm. There was a day they warned me to stop cough
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