The Chief Judge of the Niger State Judiciary, Halima Abdulmalik, has revealed that the activities of bandits have forced four Magistrate courts and eleven Sharia courts to shut down.

Abdulmalik made the revelation during the opening of the 2023/2024 legal year on Wednesday.

She said the closure of the courts was a major setback for the judiciary in the state, but that the safety of judicial officers and staff was paramount.

“I will not conclude without referring to the issue of insecurity in the state which has forced us to close four Magistrate courts.

“I also understand that eleven Sharia courts have been closed down as a result”

Abdulmalik also called on the Niger state government to extend its magnanimity to the family of the registrar of the Sharia Court, Ibbi Namaru, who was killed by bandits in April 2023.

Worst still, on 11th April 2023, Mallam Mohammad Namaru a Registrar of Shari’a court, Ibbi was kidnapped at the court premises by armed bandits.

“He was later killed by his abductors. May his gentle soul rest in peace” she said in an emotion-laden tune,” she said.

She said the government should give the young children of the deceased scholarships for their education.

Despite the challenges, Abdulmalik said the judiciary in Niger state is still functioning and that it will continue to strive to live up to its statutory responsibilities without fear or favor.