Bandits Demand N300 Million for Abducted Kaduna Judge, Kill Son

 

Suspected bandits in Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of N300 million for the release of a kidnapped female judge and her four children, following the tragic killing of her eldest son.

Details of the Abduction

The judge and her sons were abducted from their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna on June 23. The kidnappers, reportedly numbering 15, invaded the home at night while her husband, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, a medical doctor, was on duty.

Ransom Demand and Tragic Outcome

Human rights lawyer and Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, confirmed that the kidnappers have threatened to kill the remaining sons if the ransom is not paid promptly. The bandits killed the judge's 14-year-old son, Victor Gimba, on July 2 when the ransom was not met.

"The abductors, about 15 in number, took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom. On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the terrorists shot dead Victor Gimba, the first child of the judge, when the ransom demanded could not be obtained," Ballason stated.

Calls for Action

Ballason has called for the protection of the judge and her family, urging the government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and security agencies to take urgent action to ensure their rescue.

The Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) has also condemned the incident. Dr. Shuaibu Joga, the NMA's Public Relations Officer, expressed shock over the killing of the first son to coerce ransom payment. The NMA plans to hold an emergency SEC meeting and a press conference to call for expedited action on the release of the judge and her children, as well as other doctors kidnapped six months ago.

Statements and Reactions

Dr. Joga highlighted the situation: "Following the incident, we visited the husband, who 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 ransom."

The NMA is calling for calm among its members and urging everyone to stay safe while engaging with security agencies to end this crisis.

Official Statements

As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from the Kaduna State government or the state police command.