Bandits Invade Mosque, Storm Shari’ah Court in Fresh Wave of Violence
Worshippers are killed in Sokoto while a Shari’ah judge narrowly escapes an armed raid in Katsina, as twin attacks deepen fears over persistent bandit violence in northern Nigeria
By Abdullahi Yusuf
Fresh attacks by armed bandits in Sokoto and Katsina states have left worshippers dead, forced a Shari’ah court judge to flee for his life and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation confronting communities across northern Nigeria.
The separate incidents, which occurred within 24 hours of each other, underscored the vulnerability of rural communities that continue to face repeated attacks by armed criminal groups despite the presence of security personnel.
The first attack occurred on Tuesday night in Tsamaye village, Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State, where heavily armed bandits reportedly invaded the community at about 8:30 p.m. and remained until around 3:00 a.m. on Wednesday.
According to residents quoted by Daily Trust, the attackers first engaged security personnel stationed in the village, opening fire and preventing them from responding while other members of the group spread through the community.
Residents said the gunmen looted homes, rustled livestock and abducted several people during the hours-long assault.
Among the deadliest incidents was an attack on a mosque where worshippers had gathered after the Isha prayer. Witnesses said at least three people were killed inside the mosque, while a total of seven bodies were recovered across the village after the attackers fled.
Residents said many of those killed were internally displaced persons who had previously fled attacks in neighbouring communities and sought refuge in Tsamaye, only to become victims of another assault.
The attackers were also reported to have set a vehicle ablaze, burned two shops and taken away an unspecified number of livestock.
Although authorities had not confirmed the number of people abducted, residents said at least three kidnappings had been verified after relatives contacted the victims’ mobile phones and the abductors answered, confirming they were holding them captive.
One resident commended security personnel stationed in the village, saying they had previously helped protect Tsamaye and neighbouring communities but were overwhelmed after the attackers struck unexpectedly.
The spokesperson for the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, confirmed the attack but said the command was still compiling details of the incident.
Hours later in neighbouring Katsina State, suspected bandits disrupted proceedings at a Shari’ah court in Gwarjo village, Matazu Local Government Area, sending court officials and residents fleeing.
Residents told Daily Trust that the armed men arrived at the court around midday on Wednesday, firing sporadically and demanding to know the whereabouts of the presiding judge, Mohammed Muktar.
According to eyewitnesses, the judge spotted the approaching gunmen before they entered the courtroom and escaped through a window moments before they arrived. A commercial motorcyclist reportedly helped him flee the area.
The attackers then entered the courtroom, continued shooting and searched for the judge. After discovering he had escaped, they allegedly warned that they would kill him if he returned to preside over court sessions in the community.
The incident has heightened fears among residents of Gwarjo, a community that has experienced repeated attacks by armed bandits in recent years.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Katsina State Police Command were unsuccessful, as telephone calls and text messages sent to the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq Aliyu, were not answered.
The attacks are the latest in a series of violent incidents across north-western Nigeria, where armed bandit groups have continued to target villages, places of worship, schools and highways, leaving thousands dead, displaced or kidnapped despite ongoing security operations.
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