A Shari’ah Court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or abduction on Wednesday after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attackers reportedly stormed the court premises around midday, firing sporadically and demanding to know the judge’s whereabouts, causing panic as residents, court staff, and litigants fled for safety.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen entered the courtroom, shooting indiscriminately while repeatedly asking for Judge Muktar.
The judge, however, reportedly noticed the approaching attackers and escaped through a window moments before they reached the courtroom.
A resident, quoted by Daily Trust, said the judge’s quick action saved his life.
“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 source said.
The witness added that the attackers became enraged after discovering that the judge had escaped and threatened to kill him if he returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.
Another eyewitness also confirmed that the assailants openly vowed to hunt down the judge if he continued performing his judicial duties in Gwarjo.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has suffered repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years.
The attack has also raised fresh concerns over the safety of judicial officers and other public officials serving in rural communities affected by persistent insecurity.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies and the Katsina State Government had yet to comment officially on the incident.
