Bandits free Kaduna judge, demand N150m to release children

The kidnapped judge of the Kaduna State Customary Court, Janet Galadima, has regained her freedom, but the abductors are holding onto her three children after killing the eldest, identified as  Victor, 14.

The husband of the judge, Musa Gimba, a medical doctor, confirmed the release of his wife on Thursday but said the kidnappers are demanding N150m to release their three children.

The abduction of the judge and her four children was announced in a statement on Wednesday by a human rights lawyer, Gloria  Ballason.

Ballason, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, said the judge and her four children were kidnapped by the bandits on Sunday.

According to Ballason, the bandits invaded the judge’s home on the night of Sunday while her medical doctor husband was away on duty.

“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 the 14-year-old first son of the judge when the ransom demanded could not be obtained,” Ballason said.

The husband said on Thursday that the bandits were threatening to kill their three remaining children if they delayed paying the N150m demanded.

The spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, confirmed the killing of the couple’s eldest son, Victor.

He said operatives found Victor’s corpse at Ungwan Bayero, Duste village, near the tollgate along the Kaduna-Abuja Expressway on Tuesday.

He said the police and security agencies were working tirelessly to rescue the victims and arrest the terrorists.