Shari’a Court Judge Abducted in Safana LGA in Katsina

Police in Katsina State has confirmed the abduction of a sharia court judge during a session when suspected Fulani bandits launched a fresh attack on Bauren Zakka village in Safana Local Government Area.

The bandits in their numbers were said to have come in a commando-style shooting sporadically before they reportedly invaded the Sharia Court
and kidnapped the judge, Husaini Sama’ila.

According to an eyewitness who pleaded anonymity, the incident occurred at about 3 pm on Tuesday, May 18.

Although the reasons for the action is still sketchy, it is however not unclear why the judge was in court amid the industrial action embarked upon by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN.

While confirming the incident to AIT, the spokesman of the command Gambo Isah expressed shock and dismay at what the judge was doing in the courtroom despite the strike action by members of the Judiciary Staffers.

He also said the judge must have been there doing a personal assignment rather than an official engagement.

Isah further said the court has been relocated from the area to Safana Local Government which is a neighbouring area due to security issues, stating that a manhunt has been launched to locate his whereabouts and possible rescue.

As at the time of filing this report, no claims have been made by the bandits.

This incident is coming as the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria, JUSUN indefinite strike which commenced on April 6 demanding the financial autonomy of the judiciary enters its Sixth week.