From Sola Ojo, Abuja
Bandits terrorising parts of Kaduna State reportedly targeted the residence of a Customary Court Judge, HW Janet Galadima, and abducted her and her four children.
The Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, Gloria Mabeiam Ballason Esq, confirmed to this our correspondent, revealing that the female judge was abducted along with her four sons at their residence in Mahuta, Chikun local government area of Kaduna State.
The kidnapping took place on the eve of Sunday, June 23, 2024, while the husband was on duty at work.
According to available information, the judge’s 14-year-old first son was gruesomely murdered by the terrorists over a delay in ransom payment.
Further findings revealed that the Galadima residence located in a fast-developing residential community was specifically targeted in the area.
According to Ballason, the abductors reported to have been about fifteen in number, took their captives hostage and demanded a huge sum as ransom.
She said, “On Tuesday 2 July 2024, the terrorists shot dead the 14-year first son of the Judge when the ransom demanded could not be obtained.
“We condemn the abduction and murder in the strongest possible. The judicial officers under Article 7 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary, deserve protection and adequate security to enable them carry out their judicial functions and that the Nigerian State has a Constitutional mandate under Sections 33 and 14 (2)b of the 1999 Constitution to guarantee and ensure the safety of the Judge, her family and all citizens.
“The murder of Victor, the 14-year-old son of the Judge is grisly and blood-curdling. No parent deserves the horror of watching her child being killed in such a cold, callous manner.
“We, therefore, call on the Nigerian security agencies, the Governor of Kaduna state, the Nigeria Bar Association and the Judiciary to rise to the urgency of the moment for the protection of lives of His Worship, Janet Galadima and her children and to ensure justice is served.”
