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| Bandits Demand N300m for Release of Abducted Kaduna Judge, Kill Son |
Suspected bandits who kidnapped a female judge and her four children in Kaduna State have demanded N300 million for their release, after killing her eldest son.
The judge and her children were reportedly abducted from their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna on June 23.
The kidnappers, numbering around 15, stormed the judge's home at night while her husband, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, a medical doctor, was on duty.
Human rights lawyer and CEO of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the kidnappers have threatened to kill the judge's remaining sons if the ransom is not paid promptly.
Ballason revealed that the abductors killed the judge's 14-year-old son, Victor Gimba, in captivity when the family couldn't meet the ransom demand. Victor was shot dead on July 2.
“The abductors, reported to be about 15, took their captives hostage and demanded a large sum as ransom. On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the terrorists shot dead Victor Gimba, the judge's first child, when the ransom demanded could not be obtained,” she said.
Ballason called for the protection of the judge and her family, urging the government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and security agencies to take immediate action to rescue them.
The state chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) also condemned the incident and urged security agencies to act swiftly. NMA’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga, expressed shock over the killing of the judge's son to force the ransom payment.
He mentioned that the NMA would hold an emergency SEC meeting and a press conference on Thursday to call on authorities to expedite the release of the judge and her children, as well as other doctors kidnapped six months ago.
“Following the incident, we visited the husband and interacted with him. He informed us that the kidnappers had demanded N300 million for their release. While security agencies were informed and negotiations were ongoing, we received the shocking news today that the first son was killed to force payment of the said sum.
“In response, we are calling for an emergency SEC meeting today and a press conference to further call on the authorities to expedite action on securing their immediate release and also the release of our other doctor kidnapped 6 months ago.
“We call for calm from members and request all to stay safe while we engage the necessary security organs to end this needless wanton evil,” he said.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official statement from the state government or the state police command.
