Judge Escapes Through Window as Bandits Attack Katsina Court

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

A Shari’ah Court judge, Mohammed Muktar, narrowly escaped what residents described as a possible abduction after suspected bandits invaded a courtroom in Katsina State on Wednesday, July 30, 2026. The armed men reportedly stormed the court premises during proceedings, forcing the judge to flee through a window to safety as panic spread among court staff, lawyers and litigants.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers arrived on motorcycles and opened fire into the air, causing people within the court premises to scamper for safety. Court proceedings were immediately suspended while security personnel responded to the incident.

Although the judge escaped unharmed, several court users reportedly sustained minor injuries in the ensuing stampede, while some official documents were left scattered across the courtroom.

The attack has heightened concerns over the worsening security situation in parts of Katsina State, where armed bandit groups have continued to target rural communities, public institutions and highways despite ongoing military operations.

Legal practitioners and residents have called for enhanced security around courts and other public facilities to safeguard judicial officers and ensure the uninterrupted administration of justice.

Security agencies have since launched an investigation and intensified efforts to track down the attackers, while authorities assured residents that additional security measures would be put in place to prevent similar incidents.