Bandits have killed the eldest son, a 14-year-old, of Judge Janet Galadima of the Kaduna State Customary Court while demanding a N300 million ransom to free the judge and her three other children still being held captive.
The Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Ballason, issued a statement on Wednesday revealing that the judge and her four children were kidnapped by the bandits on Sunday.
According to Ballason, the bandits invaded the judge’s home at night while her medical doctor husband was away on duty.
“The abductors, reported to have been about 15, took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom.
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 said.
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Ballason, a human rights lawyer, condemned the attack, citing Article 7 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary and Section 33 and 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee the safety of judges.
She described the murder of Victor, the 14-year-old son, as “grisly and blood-curdling,” stating that no parent should endure the horror of watching their child killed in such a manner.
She called on Nigerian security agencies, the Governor of Kaduna state, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the judiciary to urgently protect Justice Galadima and her children and ensure justice is served.
Meanwhile, the Kaduna State chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), through its Public Relations Officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga, expressed shock at the bandit attack on the spouse of one of its members.
Dr. Joga mentioned that the kidnappers initially demanded N300 million, which they later reduced to N298 million. Despite negotiations, the eldest son was killed to force payment.
“In response, we are calling for an emergency SEC meeting today and a press conference to further urge authorities to expedite securing their immediate release and also the release of our other doctor colleague kidnapped six months ago.
We call for calm from members and request all to stay safe while we engage the necessary security organs to end this needless wanton evil,” Dr. Joga stated.
A family source mentioned that despite efforts, Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse and his wife, Janet, do not have the funds to meet the kidnappers’ demands.
The source highlighted the family’s growing fear for the safety of the judge and her three remaining children.
Despite awareness by the Kaduna State government, security agencies, the Nigeria Medical Association, and the Nigerian Bar Association, efforts to secure the release have been unsuccessful.
The family has requested public awareness and help in securing the family’s release.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the state government or the state police command.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, ASP, were unsuccessful as his mobile line was busy, and there was no response to a text message sent to him.
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