After days in the hands of his abductors, Justice Faruku Hassan Bunza of the Kebbi State High Court has been released and reunited with his family.
A release by a family member on Monday confirmed that the judge arrived home safely earlier in the day, describing his release and return as a moment of thanksgiving.
“We are filled with joy and gratitude to God for bringing him back safely. It has been a difficult one week, but today our family is celebrating his return,” the source said.
The family acknowledged the support they received from the Kebbi State Judiciary, security agencies, friends and residents throughout the period of the abduction.
In another development, at least six soldiers and 12 others were reported to have been killed late Saturday night by gunmen suspected to be terrorists who attacked Kasuwar Daji in Kaura-Namoda Local Government of Zamfara State and Lajinge village in Sabon-Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
The reports further have it that over 70 persons were also abducted in the attack, that saw a man and his two sons burnt alive in the building they ran into, seeking refuge by this dare-devil terrorists
According to a resident, who identified himself as Alhaji Aminu Kasuwar Daji, who spoke with Vanguard reporter, the terrorists stormed the community in large numbers and started shooting sporadically before allegedly overruning the military outpost in the area.
“Our calls to Zamfara State and the federal governments is to come to the aid of Zamfara people generally on this insecurity bedivelling the state.
‘’We really in danger if terrorists can overpower the military and succeed in their attacks on innocent citizens,” he lamented.
In his reaction, a former deputy speaker of the state House of Assembly, Namadi Kasuwar Daji, confirmed the attack on his community that led to deaths and abduction of unspecified number of residents.
The former Deputy Speaker who was not around as he travelled out of the state: ”I was told that the terrorists even killed soldiers but I was not told the actual number, again I was told that the terrorists, after looting shops for foodstuffs, drinks and other properties, also abducted an unspecified number of residents whom they took to the bush.
The State Police command is yet to react to the development
On the Sokoto attack, no fewer than 12 persons were killed, six of whom were burnt alive, after suspected terrorists attacked Lajinge village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area.
Residents said the attackers invaded the community at about 11pm on Saturday and operated until around 3:30 am Sunday without any security intervention.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 11 of the victims died from gunshot wounds, while a woman identified as Agada died after suffering severe shock during the attack.
According to him, six people were burnt alive after the gunmen surrounded a room they had taken refuge.
“They ordered those inside to come out but they refused. The attackers then poured petrol on the room and opened fire. When those inside attempted to escape through the door, they kept shooting at them. Their bodies were left inside the burning room,” he said.
He identified those killed in the fire as head of the household, Mallam Wauro (popularly known as Mallam Roro); his two sons, Ukasha and Mujaheed; two other relatives identified as Sufyanu and Sani Shanbami; as well as an internally displaced person, IDP, who had been taking shelter in the house.
The source added that another victim, Lawwali, was shot dead at the entrance of the same house, while trying to flee, bringing the death toll in the compound alone to seven.
He said the remaining victims were shot while attempting to escape from the village. They include Yusuf and three internally displaced persons who had sought refuge in Lajinge.
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