The incident which reportedly happened on the 9th of August 2026 by Sunday evening involving one Hummer bus and one Sienna bus both commercial inter-state vehicles. 

Eye witness said, the first kidnapp incidence happened at about 4pm between Ojuwo-Ajengo and Mamerebo,

while the second kidnapped incidence took place at about 6pm same Sunday evening between Ojodu and Ojuwo-olojo village, all in Ofu local government of Kogi state. 

The local securities who came to the scenes after the incidences to meet the two abandoned commercial vehicles said, “We met the vehicles empty, a Hummer bus and Sienna bus. The Hummer bus could contain 20 passangers and the Sienna bus will contain 9 passangers. So, by our estimate, the kidnappers may have moved not less than 29 passangers into the bush. These are innocent travellers.”

He said, “These are travellers from the east, those inter-state vehicles are always in full load of passangers. By the inscription on the vehicle, the Hummer bus belonged to Peace Mass Transit while the Sharon bus has no inscription on the vehicle. We suspect it’s from the East, they normally take the Kogi route to Abuja or Lagos”

As at press time, it was learnt that a joint security operation comprising of local vigilantes and men of the military has been activated and are already trailing the kidnappers.

Meanwhile, the Kogi state police command is yet to issue any official statement as the phone lines of police public relations officer, ASP Saliu Oyiza Afusat was not connecting for comments. 

The judge was abducted by suspected gunmen at his residence in Kebbi State, an incident that sparked widespread concern over the safety of judicial officers and the worsening security situation in parts of northern Nigeria.

Police authorities confirmed that Justice Bunza was released without the payment of any ransom. However, officials have not disclosed the circumstances surrounding his release or whether any suspects have been arrested in connection with the abduction.

The incident had drawn condemnation from legal professionals and concerned Nigerians, who called for intensified efforts to secure the release of the judge and improve protection for judicial officers carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

Although Justice Bunza has regained his freedom, security agencies say investigations are ongoing to identify those responsible for the kidnapping and ensure they are brought to justice. Authorities also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security measures aimed at preventing similar incidents.