NIGERIA: Bandits Invade Katsina Shari’ah Court, Judge Escapes Through Window

By Onoja Baba

A Shari’ah Court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or abduction after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The incident occurred around midday on Wednesday, when the armed men reportedly stormed the court premises, fired sporadically and demanded to know the whereabouts of the judge.

According to residents, Justice Muktar noticed the approaching gunmen from a distance and escaped through a window moments before they reached the courtroom.

A resident said the attackers entered the courtroom, shooting indiscriminately while repeatedly asking for the judge.

“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 resident said.

Another eyewitness said the gunmen became enraged after discovering that the judge had escaped and allegedly threatened to kill him if he returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.

The attack has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has repeatedly come under attacks by suspected bandits.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had yet to comment on the incident.

Efforts to reach the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages sent to his phone were not answered.

The latest attack underscores the growing insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where armed bandits have continued to target communities, public institutions and government officials despite ongoing security operations.