Fresh details have emerged on the release of abducted Kebbi State High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza, with a family member disclosing that the kidnappers demanded and received about ₦50 million, five bottles of Maltina and five packs of fruit juice before setting him free.
The relative, who said he personally delivered the ransom to the kidnappers inside a forest, revealed the details during a Hausa-language interview with DCL Hausa monitored by SaharaReporters.
Justice Bunza was abducted by armed men from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State on July 26, 2026. According to the family member, the ransom was delivered last Friday, while the judge regained his freedom on Monday morning after being dropped off at his family home in a hired vehicle.
Giving a firsthand account of the negotiations, the relative said the abductors insisted on collecting the ransom directly rather than through intermediaries or security personnel.
“It was the bandits themselves who received it. As I’m speaking to you now, I was the one who delivered the money. I personally took it to them,” he said.
He disclosed that about five armed kidnappers were present at the rendezvous and made an unusual additional demand before the ransom was handed over.
“There were about five of them. While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called us again. They told us to bring them five bottles of Maltina and five packs of Dudu because they had already opened and finished the soft drinks they had.”
The family member confirmed that the cash ransom amounted to approximately ₦50 million.
“As for the ransom itself, it was around ₦50 million,” he stated.
He said the family received news of the judge’s release between 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Monday, not through a phone call but after he was driven home.
“We received the news at about 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. this morning. Yes, this Monday.”
Describing the moment the judge returned home, he added:
“We were at home this morning when a vehicle drove into the compound and dropped him off. It was a hired vehicle.”
When asked to confirm that Justice Bunza was brought directly to the family residence in the hired vehicle, he replied:
“Yes, by God’s grace, it was a hired vehicle.”
According to him, security operatives immediately took the judge into custody for medical evaluation and debriefing.
“He is currently with the security agencies and is undergoing medical examination. They have taken him for a health check and other assessments.”
The relative said he personally saw the judge shortly after his release and expressed relief that he returned without visible injuries.
“Yes, I saw him with my own eyes.”
He added:
“He is completely fine. He is in good health. There isn’t even a scratch on his body. He left in good health and has returned in good health.”
Although he confirmed that the family raised and delivered the ransom, the relative said he could not say with certainty who ultimately secured the judge’s freedom.
“We cannot say with certainty who secured his release.”
However, he maintained that the family financed the ransom payment.
“Yes, we raised the money and made sure it was delivered to them.”
Reiterating that the payment went directly to the kidnappers, he said:
“It was the bandits themselves who received it. As I’m speaking to you now, I was the one who delivered the money. I personally took it to them.”
The relative further disclosed that the ransom exchange took place deep inside a forest located about 70 to 80 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi, which he identified as one of the kidnappers’ hideouts.
“From Birnin Kebbi, the journey was about 70 to 80 kilometres, into the forest.”
Asked when the ransom was delivered, he responded:
“On Friday.”
When the interviewer sought clarification that the ransom was paid on Friday before the judge was released on Monday morning, the relative simply replied:
“Yes.”
The account offers a rare insight into the negotiations surrounding high-profile kidnappings, highlighting not only the multimillion-naira ransom allegedly paid but also the kidnappers’ unusual demand for malt drinks and fruit juice before releasing the judge.
Justice Bunza has since regained his freedom and is undergoing medical checks and post-release debriefing by security agencies, according to his family.
