Suspected bandits who kidnapped a female judge and her four children in Kaduna State have demanded a ransom of N300 million, following the killing of her eldest son.
The judge and her sons were abducted from their residence in the Mahuta area of Kaduna on June 23, 2024.
The kidnappers, numbering around 15, stormed the judge’s home at night while her husband, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, a medical doctor, was away on duty.
Human rights lawyer and Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, confirmed the kidnappers’ threats in a statement on Wednesday, revealing that they had killed the judge’s 14-year-old son, Victor Gimba, after the family failed to pay the demanded ransom.
Ballason stated, “The abductors, reported to have been about 15, 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.”
She called for urgent action from the government, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and security agencies to protect the judge and her family and ensure their safe rescue.
The Nigeria Medical Association’s (NMA) state chapter also condemned the incident. NMA Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga, expressed shock over the killing of the judge’s first son and urged security agencies to act swiftly.
He announced an emergency meeting and press conference to address the issue and call for the release of the judge’s family and other kidnapped doctors.
Dr. Joga said, “Following the incident, we visited the husband and interacted with him, and he informed us that the kidnappers had made a demand of N300 million to secure their release.
While the security agencies had been informed and negotiations with the kidnappers were ongoing, we received the shocking news today that the first son was killed to force payment of the said sum.
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.”
As of the time of this report, there was no official statement from the state government or the state police command.
Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.
