Boko Haram militants have demanded a ransom of $500,000 for the release of the wife, police orderly, and driver of Justice Haruna Mshelia, a High Court judge in Borno State. This comes after the judge himself was released in a previous ransom negotiation. His family members remain in captivity, leaving many in the state on edge as tensions with the terrorist group continue to rise.
According to a source close to the family who spoke to the press, the terrorists rejected an initial offer of $50,000, demanding instead the full $500,000 for the release of the judge’s loved ones. The family had been hopeful that the terrorists would accept the smaller sum, but the demand for a larger ransom highlights the escalating severity of the situation.
Justice Mshelia, a prominent figure in Borno’s judicial system, was abducted on June 24, 2024, alongside his wife, Binta Othman, a magistrate at Wulari Court in Maiduguri, his police orderly, and his driver. While Justice Mshelia was released on September 8, following the payment of a substantial ransom, the remaining family members were not freed. The terrorists agreed to release the judge on the condition that he personally raise an additional $500,000 for the release of his family.
“We learned that the family managed to raise almost $50,000, but the insurgents turned down the offer, insisting on the full $500,000,” says the source.
This incident is part of the broader security crisis in northeastern Nigeria, where Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), have caused significant harm to communities over the past decade. The insurgents are notorious for kidnappings, ransom demands, and attacks on both military and civilian targets. Their brutal tactics, including the abduction of high-profile individuals like Justice Mshelia, have instilled fear in many parts of the region.
The Nigerian government and security forces have been engaged in a long-running battle against these groups, with varying degrees of success. While some territories have been reclaimed, Boko Haram continues to operate in parts of Borno State and the surrounding areas, making life uncertain for residents.
