At least 13 people have been killed and several others abducted after armed bandits attacked a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, located in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to a local resident, Shehu Bala, the incident occurred late Sunday night at about 11:47pm when heavily armed attackers stormed the venue. The gunmen, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, opened fire indiscriminately on guests gathered inside the hall, killing 13 people on the spot.
Several others sustained gunshot wounds during the attack and were taken to Kagarko General Hospital for treatment. Victims with more critical injuries were later transferred to Kaduna for further medical care.
Bala said two of his friends were among those injured in the shooting, adding that the confusion that followed made it difficult to determine the number of people abducted by the attackers.
A community leader, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also confirmed the incident. He disclosed that the assailants operated for nearly an hour without resistance, during which they looted shops in the area, carting away food items, provisions, and drugs from a local chemist.
He added that the victims have since been buried, while no contact has been made with the kidnappers.
“The entire community was thrown into panic as residents fled into nearby bushes to escape the gunfire,” the source said.
The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, confirmed the attack, noting that authorities are still verifying the number of abducted persons. He assured that a detailed report would be released once investigations are complete.
Security operatives have launched a manhunt for the attackers, with efforts underway to rescue those kidnapped.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, alongside Senator Sani Musa, visited injured victims receiving treatment at Kagarko General Hospital.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents affecting communities in the area, including Janjala, where residents have faced repeated assaults by bandits. In a recent case, 14 people were abducted, with kidnappers reportedly demanding a ransom of N14 million for their release.
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