Gunmen kidnap Islamic court judge in Nigeria

KANO, Nigeria

Unknown gunmen kidnapped a judge in Nigeria's northwestern state, a police official confirmed on Wednesday.

The gunmen broke into a Shariah Court in Bauren Zakat village, Katsina state on Tuesday afternoon and kidnapped the judge, Al-Haji Husaini Sama’ila, Police Public Relations Officer Gambo Isah confirmed.

Raising questions about the judge's presence in the courthouse, which the police official said has been relocated to Safana town because of security reasons.

“So, what was he doing there.... everyone is aware that courts are currently closed due to judicial workers' strike?"

“If he had any reasons to go to that court, why didn't he inform the police,” he asked, noting that abduction is a common occurrence in the state.

On May 10, unknown gunmen abducted at least 10 people, including women and children, from a mosque in Kwata, Katsina state. In December last year, 80 Islamic seminary students were abducted as they returned from the Maulud annual celebration in the state. However, the police rescued them the next day.