A Shari’ah Court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or possible abduction on Wednesday after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack occurred around midday when the heavily armed assailants reportedly stormed the court premises, firing sporadically and demanding to know the judge’s whereabouts. The incident triggered panic, forcing residents, court staff and visitors to flee for safety.
According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen entered the courtroom while shooting indiscriminately and repeatedly asked where Judge Mohammed Muktar was.
However, the judge reportedly noticed the approaching attackers from a distance and swiftly escaped through a window moments before they reached the courtroom. A commercial motorcyclist was said to have assisted him in fleeing the area.
A resident who witnessed the incident 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 resident said.
The witness added that after discovering the judge had escaped, the attackers became enraged and threatened to kill him if he returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.
Another eyewitness confirmed that the assailants openly vowed to hunt down the judge should he continue carrying out his judicial duties in Gwarjo.
The attack has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community in Matazu Local Government Area that has suffered repeated attacks by suspected bandits in recent years.
