A Shari’ah court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or possible abduction after suspected bandits reportedly stormed a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Wednesday, July 29.
The armed men, said to be heavily armed, allegedly invaded the court premises while proceedings were ongoing, firing sporadically and demanding to know the whereabouts of the presiding judge.
According to eyewitnesses, panic erupted as the gunmen shot indiscriminately, forcing court officials, litigants and other residents to flee for safety.
Reports indicate that Judge Muktar noticed the approaching attackers before they reached the courtroom and acted quickly by escaping through a window moments before the bandits gained access to the building.
His swift action is believed to have saved him from being killed or kidnapped.
A resident who witnessed the incident told Daily Trust that the attackers repeatedly demanded to know where the judge was after entering the courtroom.
“The bandits entered the courtroom, shooting indiscriminately and repeatedly asking where the judge was. Fortunately, he had already escaped through the window, and a commercial motorcyclist helped him flee before they arrived,” the witness said.
According to the source, a commercial motorcycle rider immediately came to the judge’s aid and transported him away from the area before the gunmen could locate him.
The witness further disclosed that the suspected bandits became furious after discovering that the judge had escaped.
Unable to find their target, the attackers reportedly issued chilling threats, warning that they would kill him if he returned to preside over court sessions in the community.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo village, where concerns over the activities of armed bandits have continued to grow in recent years.
The latest attack also underscores the persistent security challenges facing parts of Katsina State and other communities in Nigeria’s North-West region, where bandit groups have carried out repeated attacks on villages, highways, schools and public institutions.
As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the attack or confirm whether any security operation had been launched to apprehend the perpetrators.
Authorities have also not disclosed whether any casualties were recorded during the invasion or if additional security measures would be deployed to protect judicial officers and court facilities in the area.
Residents have since called on security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace in the community and ensure that judicial officials can carry out their duties without fear of attacks from criminal elements.
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