No fewer than 10 gunmen stormed three courts in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, on Wednesday, when they held a sitting judge hostage.
The gunmen, who shot into the air, caused panic in the capital city as residents fled in various directions, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The courts the gunmen invaded included Benue State High Court 9, Chief Magistrate’s Court and the Upper Area Court.
An eyewitness told that the gunmen stormed the premises of the three courts which were about 500 meters away from state police headquarters around 8am.
It was gathered at the Benue State High Court 9 that the Presiding Judge, Justice Mary Abounu, who is the wife of deputy governor, was already seated when the gunmen stormed her court and held her and the people in her court hostage.