Kidnapping Of Kebbi High Court Judge: Adeyanju Condemns Silence Of Government, Opposition

Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has strongly condemned what he described as the disturbing silence surrounding the abduction of a Kebbi State High Court judge, warning that the incident reflects the worsening state of insecurity in Nigeria and the apparent normalization of violent crimes against public officials.

Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court was reportedly abducted by suspected bandits from his residence in Bunza Local Government Area in the early hours of Sunday. The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that tactical and intelligence teams had been deployed to secure the judge’s safe rescue.

Reacting to the development, Adeyanju expressed disbelief that the kidnapping of a serving High Court judge had failed to generate widespread national outrage.

“A High Court Judge in Kebbi State was kidnapped and everyone is acting like it’s a normal thing in a country with a president and government. Even the useless opposition are not talking about it,” he said.

According to the activist, the muted reaction from political leaders, government officials and opposition parties demonstrates how insecurity has become increasingly normalized despite its growing threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

Adeyanju drew comparisons with the reaction to major security failures under previous administrations, particularly the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.

“If a judge was abducted in 2014 under GEJ, heaven will hear of it. The world heard of Chibok,” he stated.

He argued that the kidnapping of a judicial officer should be treated as a national emergency because it represents a direct attack on the judiciary, one of the three constitutionally recognized arms of government.

Adeyanju further criticized what he described as selective outrage in Nigeria’s political space, alleging that security incidents are often amplified or ignored depending on who occupies political office rather than on the gravity of the incident itself.

The lawyer called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to rescue the abducted judge without delay and ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.

He also urged Nigerians not to become desensitized to acts of insecurity, stressing that the continued silence over attacks on public officials could embolden criminal groups and further undermine public confidence in the country’s security architecture.

The abduction of Justice Bunza has renewed concerns over the growing wave of kidnappings and banditry across parts of northern Nigeria, where residents continue to face persistent security challenges despite repeated government assurances of improved safety.