A Shari’ah Court judge in Katsina State, Mohammed Muktar, escaped by the narrowest of margins on Wednesday after suspected bandits stormed a courtroom in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area, opening fire and searching for him in what appeared to be a planned assassination or kidnap attempt.

The dramatic attack occurred around midday, forcing lawyers, litigants, court staff and residents to flee for safety as the heavily armed men invaded the court premises, firing sporadically and demanding to know the judge’s whereabouts.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants burst into the courtroom shooting indiscriminately while repeatedly asking those present to produce Judge Muktar.

Unknown to the attackers, however, the judge had already noticed their approach and escaped through a window moments before they entered the courtroom.

His daring escape was said to have been aided by a commercial motorcyclist, who quickly whisked him away from the scene before the gunmen could locate him.

A resident who witnessed the incident said the judge’s quick thinking prevented what could have ended in tragedy.

“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.

The witness added that the gunmen became furious after realising their target had escaped, threatening to kill the judge should he return to preside over court proceedings in Gwarjo.

Another resident who witnessed the invasion confirmed that the attackers openly vowed to hunt down the judicial officer if he continued sitting in the community.

The incident has intensified fears among residents of Gwarjo, a rural community that has suffered repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years despite ongoing security operations across Katsina State.