A Shari’ah Court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or possible abduction after suspected bandits stormed a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, on Wednesday, July 29.
According to reports, the armed men invaded the court while proceedings were expected to take place, firing sporadically and repeatedly demanding to know the whereabouts of Judge Mohammed Muktar.
Sensing imminent danger, the judge reportedly spotted the approaching attackers from a distance and quickly escaped through a courtroom window moments before the gunmen arrived.
A witness told Daily Trust that the judge’s swift 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 source further disclosed that the attackers became enraged after discovering the judge had escaped. They reportedly threatened to kill him if he ever returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and there were no immediate reports of casualties during the incident.
As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack.
