A judge of the Upper Customary Court in Kaduna State, Janet Gimba, who was abducted by bandits along with her four children, has been released. However, three of her children remain in the custody of the abductors.
Confirming the judge’s release, her husband Musa Gimba mentioned that she was freed without her three children. He revealed that the bandits are demanding a ransom of N150 million within three days, threatening to harm the children if the money is not paid.
The female judge, stationed at the Upper Customary Court, Sabon Tasha Division in Kaduna State, was kidnapped with her children on June 24, 2024, from their residence in the Mahuta area of Chikun Local Government Area on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis.
Tragically, the Kaduna State Police Command’s spokesman, Mansir Hassan, reported that the assailants had killed the judge’s 14-year-old eldest son, Victor Gimba.
His body was discovered by police operatives near the toll gate at Sabon Tasha Division, Ungwan Bayero of Dutse village along the Kaduna-Abuja highway on Tuesday, July 2nd.
Following the incident, the police spokesman stated that the Command’s anti-kidnapping squad, in collaboration with other security agencies, is tirelessly working to rescue the remaining victims and apprehend the bandits involved.
‘Grisly and Blood-Curdling’
Meanwhile, human rights activist and Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, condemned the abduction, citing violations of Article 7 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, as well as Sections 33 and 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution, which ensure the safety of judges.
She described the murder of the woman’s 14-year-old son as “grisly and horrifying.”
The human rights lawyer urged security agencies to expedite the rescue of the remaining hostages.