A Shari’ah Court judge narrowly escaped abduction on Wednesday after suspected bandits stormed a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, firing gunshots and demanding to know his whereabouts.
The judge, identified as Mohammed Muktar, reportedly fled through a window moments before the armed men reached the courtroom, according to residents familiar with the incident.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived at about midday, shooting into the air as they entered the court premises in search of the judge.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Muktar noticed the approaching gunmen from a distance and quickly escaped before they entered the courtroom.
"The bandits rushed into the court, firing shots and asking repeatedly where the judge was. Luckily, he had escaped through a window before they arrived, and a commercial motorcyclist helped him flee to safety," the resident said.
Another witness said the assailants became angry after discovering the judge had escaped and allegedly threatened to kill him should he return to preside over court sessions in the community.
The latest attack has heightened anxiety among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has witnessed repeated bandit attacks in recent years.
Efforts to obtain an official reaction from the Katsina State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the command's spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, did not respond to calls or text messages seeking comment as of the time of filing this report.
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