Daily Trust

Kidnappers of Kaduna judge, 4 children demand N300m ransom

Abductors of a Customary Court judge in Kaduna, Janet Galadima and her four sons have demanded N300 million as ransom for their release.

Daily Trust gathered that the judge and her children were taken from their home in Mahuta New Extension, Igabi

Local Government Area of Kaduna State on June 23, 2024 at 11pm.

Days after the abduction, the kidnappers killed her 14-year-old son and threatened to kill the others if the ransom was not paid.

Expressing concern for the family, Godwin Ochai, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Associatio­n (NBA), Kaduna Branch, called for urgent action during a press conference yesterday.

“The Kaduna Branch of the NBA received the news of Her Honour’s kidnap along with her four sons with rude shock. This incident, which occurred around 11pm in the Mahuta New Extension Area of Kaduna State, is highly condemnabl­e. It calls for quick action from security agencies to stem the tide of abductions targeting judges,” Ochai stated.

He emphasised that the frequency of kidnapping in the state indicates a crisis that requires immediate and decisive government action. Ochai described the situation as a wake-up call for the Governor Uba Sani-led administra­tion, highlighti­ng government’s primary responsibi­lity for ensuring state security.

“Reports indicate that the kidnappers have killed Her Honour’s 14-year-old son and have threatened to kill the remaining three children if their ransom demands are not met. Her Honour is the judge presiding over the Customary Court in Sabo, and her husband is a medical doctor at the Kaduna State Ministry of Health,” Ochai added.

The NBA Kaduna Branch urged the state government to take swift measures to secure the safe return of the judge and her children. “Our hearts are with the family of Her Honour, and we stand with them during this harrowing time,” Ochai stated.

When contacted, the judge’s husband, Dr Duste Musa, said, “I have resigned my fate to God and I am praying for the release of my wife and our three remaining children.”