Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked a Sharia Court in Gwarjo community, Matazu Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The attack which sources said occured on Thursday afternoon, happened while court proceedings were ongoing.

It was learnt that the presiding judge, Mohammed Mukhtar, managed to escape through a back window minutes before the gunmen entered the court’s premises.

Mukhtar, whom sources said was able to escape along with staff members of the court, had been fortunate to spot the bandits while they were a few distance away from the court’s premises.

The gunmen were said to have fired several shots, asking where the court judge was, and becoming visibly angry when they didn’t see him.

They were said to have vowed to come back again for the judge.

It was learnt that the gunmen had wanted to abduct the presiding judge, ostensibly for ransom purpose.

But residents in the area were divided on whether the gunmen had come to abduct the judge, or if they had come with intention to kill him.

The incident has raised concerns about the security situation in the area, with some community members pleading with government to put measures in place to tackle the situation.

Like several frontline council areas, Matazu has faced series of security challenges, with recent one being the abduction of Maj. Gen. Rabe Abubakar (rtd.), along with his wife, on May 30.

Tragically, Abubakar died two weeks later in the forest, while his wife was later rescued by security operatives, but had sustained gunshot wound on her leg.

The incident is also coming on the heels of the abduction of a High Court Judge, Justice Faruku Hassan in Bunza council area of Kabbi State, on July 26.

Hassan’s abductors have demanded for N200 million in ransom payment, while family members were said to have been left anxious about his wellbeing and safety.

As at time of report, the Katsina State Police Command was yest to issue a statement or respond to inquiry on the incident.

The executive chairman of Matazu council area, Hon Shamshudeen Saya, and the council’s Information Officer, Mansir Bala, did not take or return calls to their GSM lines.