Posted by Chinenye on Fri 31st Jul, 2026 - tori.ng
A tense courtroom attack in Katsina has raised fresh fears over the safety of judicial officers in troubled areas.
(Bandits. Photo Credit; Prompt News Online)
The presiding judge of a Sharia Court in Gwarjo community, Matazu local government area, Katsina State, narrowly escaped kidnapping yesterday when suspected bandits attacked the court during proceedings.
The judge, Mohammed Mukhtar, reportedly fled through a back window moments before the armed men stormed the court premises, averting what residents believe was an attempted kidnap.
Eyewitnesses said the att@ck occurred while court was in session, triggering panic among court staff, litigants and other visitors, who fled for safety.
Sources said Mukhtar spotted the approaching g*nmen from a distance and quickly escaped through a rear window alongside some court employees before the assailants could reach the courtroom.
The att@ckers reportedly fired several gunsh0ts upon entering the premises and repeatedly demanded to know the judge's whereabouts.
Angered by his escape, they allegedly threatened to return for him. While many residents believe the gnmen intended to abdct the judge for ransom, others fear they may have planned to k!ll him.
The incident has further heightened concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Matazu and other frontline communities in Katsina State, where att@cks by b@ndits have become increasingly frequent.
Residents called on the federal and state governments to strengthen security around courts and other public institutions, warning that judicial officers have become vulnerable targets for criminal groups.
The att@ck comes barely two months after retired Major General Rabe Abubakar and his wife were abdcted in Matazu on May 30.
The retired army officer later d!ed in captivity, while his wife was rescued by security operatives after sustaining a gunsh0t wound.
It also follows the recent abdction of a High Court judge, Justice Faruku Hassan, in Bunza local government area of Kebbi State on July 26, whose abductors reportedly demanded a ransom of N200 million, raising fresh concerns over the increasing targeting of judicial officers.
As at the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
Efforts to obtain comments from the chairman of Matazu local government area, Hon. Shamshudeen Saya, and the council's information officer, Mansir Bala, were unsuccessful.