A Kadi of a Shari’ah Court, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped death or possible abduction after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State, while court proceedings were reportedly ongoing.
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The attack, which occurred around midday, caused panic as court users, staff and residents fled for safety when the armed men stormed the court premises and fired sporadically.
Residents said the attackers entered the courtroom, shot indiscriminately and repeatedly demanded to know the whereabouts of the presiding Kadi.
Muktar was said to have spotted the approaching gunmen from a distance and quickly escaped through a window moments before they reached the courtroom.
A resident said the Kadi’s quick action saved his life, adding that a commercial motorcyclist helped him flee from the area before the attackers arrived.
“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.
Another eyewitness said the attackers became angry after discovering that Muktar had escaped and threatened to kill him if he returned to preside over court proceedings in the community.
Sources said the gunmen may have intended to abduct the Kadi for ransom, although some residents believe the attackers may have come to kill him.
The incident has heightened fear among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has repeatedly suffered attacks by bandits in recent years.
Matazu is one of the frontline local government areas in Katsina State affected by persistent security challenges. One of the recent incidents in the area was the abduction of retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife on May 30.
Abubakar later died in captivity about two weeks after the abduction, while his wife was rescued by security operatives after sustaining a gunshot wound on her leg.
The attack on the Shari’ah Court also comes shortly after the abduction of a High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan, in Bunza Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on July 26. His abductors were reported to have demanded ₦200 million as ransom, leaving family members anxious over his safety.
The latest incident has raised fresh concerns over the safety of judicial officers, court staff and public officials serving in rural communities affected by banditry.
As of the time of the report, the Katsina State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident. The command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, could not be reached, as calls and messages sent to him were not responded to.
The Executive Chairman of Matazu Local Government Area, Hon. Shamshudeen Saya, and the council’s Information Officer, Mansir Bala, also did not take or return calls placed to their mobile lines.
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