A serving magistrate in the Niger State Judiciary, Benjamin Zakari, has been attacked by armed bandits while travelling on public transport along with other passengers.

Zakari, who serves at the Magistrate Court, Rijau Division, was returning to his station after attending a one-day refresher workshop at Azahrah International Hotel in Minna when the attack occurred.

Eyewitnesses said the incident happened along the ever-busy Kontagora–Tegina highway when the bandits, armed with sophisticated weapons, emerged from the bush in large numbers and barricaded the road.

According to one of the passengers, Zakari was shot in the leg while attempting to escape. The armed men reportedly operated for over three hours unhindered, forcing motorists to stop and abducting passengers.

It was gathered that the attackers offloaded passengers from one of the vehicles and led them into a nearby forest.

The exact number of abducted passengers had yet to be confirmed as of press time, but four other travellers were said to have sustained injuries during the assault.

The attack highlights the vulnerability of magistrates in Niger State, who, unlike their counterparts in other northern states, reportedly travel to and from their stations using commercial vehicles.

Findings revealed that magistrates in the state frequently share public transport with litigants and even convicted criminals, exposing them to significant security risks.

In a related incident two years ago, a female magistrate in the state narrowly escaped an attack by an ex-convict she had sentenced, who threatened her while they were travelling in the same vehicle. The swift intervention of other passengers saved her from harm.

A concerned source, speaking anonymously, lamented the precarious situation of magistrates and called for urgent intervention.

“Their situation is painful and sad. They are exposed to attacks by litigants and criminals standing trial or already convicted in their courts. It is high time the government provided them with official vehicles, as is done for their colleagues in other states,” the source said. (The Guardian)