Judge Escapes Through Window as Bandits Attack Shari'ah Court in Katsina

30 Jul 2026

Judge Escapes Through Window as Bandits Attack Shari'ah Court in Katsina

KATSINA, NIGERIA — A Shari'ah court judge in Katsina State narrowly escaped what residents described as a planned abduction or assassination after suspected bandits attacked a courtroom while proceedings were underway.

The incident occurred around midday on Wednesday at the Shari'ah Court in Gwarjo Village, Matazu Local Government Area, where the presiding judge, Mohammed Muktar, reportedly escaped through a window moments before the armed men entered the courtroom.

According to eyewitnesses, the attackers stormed the court premises firing sporadically into the air while repeatedly demanding to know the judge's whereabouts.

A resident who witnessed the incident said the judge acted swiftly after noticing the gunmen approaching.

"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 eyewitness said.

Residents said the attackers became visibly angry after discovering that their target had escaped.

Another eyewitness alleged that the gunmen threatened to kill the judge should he return to preside over court proceedings in the community.

Security Concerns Deepen

The latest attack has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo and surrounding communities, where recurring bandit attacks have disrupted economic and social activities.

Security experts warn that attacks targeting judicial officers represent a dangerous escalation capable of undermining public confidence in the administration of justice.

The incident also raises fresh concerns over the safety of judges and court personnel serving in vulnerable communities across Nigeria's North-West.

Police Yet to Comment

As of the time of publication, the Katsina State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the incident.

Efforts to obtain comments from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, were unsuccessful as calls and text messages were not returned.

The Katsina State Government has also not released any official reaction.

Investigations are expected to continue as security agencies assess the circumstances surrounding the attack.

TILEMA Editorial Insight

The attack on a judicial officer is more than an assault on one individual—it is an attack on the rule of law itself. When judges become targets of violent criminals, the administration of justice is threatened, public confidence weakens, and communities become increasingly vulnerable. Strengthening security around courts and judicial personnel must become a national priority.

Author Bio

Uruakpa Onyemaechi Charles is the Senior Security Correspondent and Editor-in-Chief of Times Legacy Magazine (TILEMA). He reports on national security, governance, public policy, technology, and socio-political developments across Nigeria and Africa.

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