Bandits have killed the eldest son of a Kaduna State Customary Court judge, Janet Galadima, and are demanding N300 million in ransom to free the judge and her three other children who are still being held.
Gloria Ballason, Chief Executive Officer of the House of Justice, stated on Wednesday that the judge and her four children were kidnapped by robbers on Sunday.
According to Ballason, the criminals broke into the judge’s home on Sunday night when her medical doctor spouse was on duty elsewhere.
Ballason stated, “The abductors, estimated to be around 15, kidnapped them and demanded a large payment.
“On Tuesday, July 2, 2024, terrorists shot and murdered the judge’s 14-year-old first son because the ransom was not paid.
“Human rights lawyer Ballason condemned the attack on the judge and her family, saying that it was against Article 7 of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary as well as Section 33 and 14(2)b of the 1999 Constitution, which protect judges’ safety.
Ballason said that no parent should have to witness their child being slain in such a heartless and cold-blooded way, calling the killing of the judge’s 14-year-old son Victor “grisly and blood curdling.”
In order to protect Justice Galadima and her children’s life and make sure justice was done, she made a call to the Nigerian security services, the governor of Kaduna state, the Nigeria Bar Association, and the judiciary.
In the meantime, the bandit attack on a member of the Nigeria Medical Association’s Kaduna State branch was met with unpleasant shock, according to a statement from the association’s public relations officer, Dr. Shuaibu Joga.
What they’re saying
The NMA PRO stated,
“Following the incident, we visited and interacted with him (Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse), who informed us that the kidnappers had made a demand of N300 million to secure their release
“As negotiations with the abductors proceeded, security agencies were notified, and today we found out that the first son had been killed to force the previously mentioned amount to be paid.
“In response, we are calling for an emergency SEC meeting today and a press conference to further call on the authorities to take action on securing their immediate release as well as the release of our other doctor who was kidnapped six months ago.”
“We call for unity amp g members and beg everyone to stay safe while we engage the necessary security organs to end this needless wanton evil.”
According to a family member, the kidnappers demanded N300 million from the inception but eventually dropped it to N298 million. “Dr. Musa Gimba Dutse’s wife and four children were kidnapped from his Kaduna home on June 23, 24 when he was away in Kano on official business.
“Security agencies were promptly notified following the incident, with the kidnappers first demanding N300 million, which they eventually reduced to N298 million, to ensure their release.
“While negotiations were proceeding, the kidnappers murdered Dr. Musa’s eldest son, Victor (14 years old), on July 2, 2024, to coerce payment of the ransom.
“Dr. Musa is a public worker with the state primary healthcare board, and his wife, Janet, is a magistrate at the Kaduna State Customary Court.
They do not have the funds, and despite his best efforts, he has not been able to collect the ransom.
However, the kidnappers are still demanding N298 million and threatening further harm. As a result, we are more concerned for his wife and the three children who remain in their custody.
“Although the Kaduna State government, security forces, the Nigeria Medical Association, and the Nigerian Bar Association are all aware, their efforts have been fruitless.
“I sincerely hope that you will consider sharing this heartbreaking story to help spread the word about the predicament of this family and perhaps help Dr. Musa obtain the assistance he needs to secure his family’s release,” a family source stated.
Bottom Line
The attack on a judge’s family raises concerns about the ability of law enforcement to protect citizens, especially prominent figures. This could have an effect on the justice system.
