Judge Escapes Through Courtroom Window as Suspected Bandits Invade Katsina Shari’ah Court

A Shari’ah Court judge in Katsina State narrowly escaped an apparent abduction on Wednesday after suspected bandits stormed the courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area.
The judge, Mohammed Muktar, reportedly fled by jumping through a window moments before the armed men entered the court premises around midday. Witnesses said the attackers fired sporadically while demanding to know the judge's whereabouts.
According to residents, the judge spotted the gunmen approaching from a distance and escaped before they reached the courtroom. A commercial motorcyclist reportedly helped him flee the area.
One resident said the attackers entered the courtroom, shooting indiscriminately and repeatedly asking for the judge. When they discovered he had escaped, the gunmen allegedly threatened to kill him if he returned to preside over court sessions in the community.
The attack has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has suffered repeated bandit attacks in recent years.
As of the time of filing this report, the spokesperson for the Katsina State Police Command, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, had not issued an official statement, as calls and text messages seeking his reaction reportedly went unanswered.
The incident adds to growing concerns over persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina State, where recurring bandit attacks continue to disrupt daily life despite ongoing security operations.