Bandits Kill Son of Kaduna Judge, Demand Ransom for Remaining Family

Bandits

Bandits have killed the eldest son of Judge Janet Galadima of the Kaduna State Customary Court while demanding a N300 million ransom for the release of the judge and her three remaining children.

The Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday. According to Ballason, the judge and her four children were kidnapped by the bandits on Sunday night when her husband, a medical doctor, was away on duty.

“The abductors, reported to have been about 15, took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom,” Ballason said. “On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, the terrorists shot dead the 14-year-old first son of the judge when the ransom demanded could not be obtained.”

Ballason, a human rights lawyer, condemned the attack, stating it violates Article 7 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and Sections 33 and 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution that guarantee the safety of judges.

Describing the murder of the judge's son, Victor, as “grisly and blood-curdling,” Ballason asserted that no parent should endure the horror of losing their child in such a manner. She called on Nigerian security agencies, the Governor of Kaduna State, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the judiciary to act urgently to protect Justice Galadima and her children and to ensure justice is served.

The Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga, expressed shock at the attack on the family of one of their members.

“Following the incident, we visited and interacted with Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse, who informed us that the kidnappers had initially demanded N300 million, later reduced to N298 million, to secure their release,” said Dr. Joga. “While security agencies had been informed and negotiations were ongoing, we received the shocking news that the eldest son was killed to force payment of the ransom.”

Dr. Joga added that the NMA is calling for an emergency meeting and a press conference to urge the authorities to expedite the release of the judge and her children, as well as another doctor kidnapped six months ago.

A family source revealed that despite ongoing negotiations, the kidnappers murdered Victor on July 2 to pressure the family into paying the ransom.

“Dr. Musa is a civil servant working for the state primary healthcare board, and his wife, Janet, is a magistrate with the Kaduna State Customary Court. They do not have the funds, and despite all efforts, they have not been able to raise the ransom,” the source said. “The kidnappers are still demanding N298 million and threatening more violence. We are increasingly fearful for his wife and the three children who remain in their clutches.”

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from either the state government or the state police command. The Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, could not be reached for comment.