The family of a Kebbi State High Court judge, Justice Faruk Hassan Bunza, who was kidnapped from his residence and released after a week, has confirmed paying N50 million ransom to secure the release.

Justice Bunza was abducted in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, when heavily armed bandits stormed his residence in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State.

The incident was the second abduction of a serving judge in the country in recent times, after the abduction of a Bayelsa State high court judge, Ebiyerin Umokoro, in June 2025.

Justice Bunza regained his freedom on Monday after spending eight days in captivity.

His release was confirmed by the Kebbi State Police Command, his family and the state Ministry of Justice.

The police spokesperson in the state, Bashir Usman, said in a statement that the judge was released earlier on Monday and had reunited safely with his family.

“With the judge now released, the police and other security agencies have intensified investigative efforts to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the statement said.

The command also appreciated members of the public and partner security agencies for their support during the operation.

It urged residents to continue providing confidential and actionable information that could assist security agencies in arresting the kidnappers.

In a report, a member of Justice Bunza’s family, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed N50 million was paid to the abductors.

He said the judge was receiving attention and recovering at his residence in Bunza.

According to the family member, the kidnappers initially demanded N200 million but later agreed to accept N50 million after days of negotiations throughout the period the judge spent in captivity.

“We are still attending to him at home since his release on Monday. As you know, he needs time to recover from the trauma he went through.

“We will address the media when he has fully recovered, and we are ready to speak. We will then share details of his ordeal in the hands of his abductors. As for whether a ransom was paid, I can confirm that N50 million was paid,” the source said.

The source also expressed appreciation to the Kebbi State government, security agencies, the state judiciary and residents of the state for their support, prayers and concern throughout the period of the judge’s abduction.

“We are grateful to everyone who stood by us during this difficult period, especially the state government, the security agencies, the judiciary and all those who prayed for his safe return,” he said.

Another family member, who spoke to the Hausa online platform, DCL Hausa, said the abductors, believed to be about five in number, received the ransom on Friday after directing the family to a location deep inside a forest, more than 70 kilometres from Birnin Kebbi.

According to the relative, the kidnappers made an unusual request shortly before the ransom was handed over.

“While we were on our way to deliver the money, they called and asked us to bring five bottles of malt drinks and five bottles of Dudu drinks. They opened the drinks and consumed them in our presence before collecting the ransom,” the source said.

The family said it received news of the judge’s release between 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Monday.

“We were informed of his release around 6 to 7 a.m. He was brought home in a commercial vehicle conveying firewood and dropped in front of the house,” the family member said.

According to the source, the judge appeared to be in good health and showed no visible signs of any physical distress after regaining his freedom.

“He is hale and hearty. There is nothing unusual about his physical appearance,” the source added.

However, the police command said the judge abductors made a ransom demand, but it stood firmly against it.

“Although the kidnappers made a ransom demand, the command maintains its firm stance against ransom payment,” the police said.

The United States has introduced a new rule allowing asylum applications to be referred to immigration judges without applicants first undergoing an interview, in a move aimed at reducing the country’s growing asylum backlog.

The change was announced by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) following a statement from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Under the existing system, USCIS handles “affirmative” asylum applications filed by individuals who are not in removal proceedings, while Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judges adjudicate “defensive” asylum claims involving those already in removal proceedings

Depending on an applicant’s immigration status, USCIS may either decide an asylum application or refer it to an immigration judge. In cases referred to a judge, the application can undergo another review, which DHS says can effectively give an applicant a second opportunity to seek asylum.

The new interim final rule permits USCIS to refer asylum applications directly to immigration judges without first interviewing the applicant.

According to DHS, the change is expected to reduce the overall time required for asylum officers and immigration judges to process cases, while helping USCIS tackle the backlog.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the asylum system had been used by some applicants for purposes other than seeking protection.

“For far too long the asylum system has been exploited for purposes of delay and work authorization, not legitimate claims of protection,” said USCIS Director Joseph Edlow. “America’s asylum system exists to protect individuals who genuinely fear persecution and this rule will help ensure that resources are directed to the timely adjudication of those claims instead of to those seeking to use the system as a loophole.”

DHS General Counsel James Percival said delays in immigration proceedings had also created difficulties for enforcement efforts.

“One of the greatest barriers to effective immigration enforcement is intentional delay by illegal aliens and the open borders attorneys who represent them,” said DHS General Counsel James Percival.

“My office works every day with the immigration components of DHS to improve efficiency and fulfill the President’s mandate. The rule would do just that.”

The new rule takes effect immediately. USCIS will accept public comments on the interim rule before issuing a final version that responds to the feedback received.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, declared that tricycle popularly known as Keke Napep and Okada will never be allowed to operate within the Abuja city centre adding however, that “it would be difficult to ban them in the entire Abuja, particularly.”

Wike explained that Keke Napep and Okada have been a threat to the security of the people of the capital city.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, the Minister insisted that they have become a nuisance in the capital city.

He said: “You talked about Keke Napep and Okada, just this morning I signed the approval because we had a security council meeting where we agreed that they don’t just cause a nuisance but for the issue of security, it has become a threat.

“I have told the security people to map out areas where we do not need the Keke Napep and the motorcycles but it would be difficult to ban them in the entire Abuja, particularly.”

The Minister also noted that destitutes will not be allowed across the capital city, adding that his administration can’t afford to provide shelter for them.

He said, “We are working that out and just need approval to raise logistics, even destitutes, beggars are all over the place. Each time we take them out they come in again. Some people say why not provide where they would be staying? How would we continue to be doing that, it means we are encouraging people to leave Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna; how can you fund that?”