Suspected bandits on Sunday night stormed a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least 13 people and abducting several others in a brutal late-night assault.
The attackers, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, invaded the venue around 11:47 pm, opening fire indiscriminately on guests and throwing the entire community into chaos.
A resident, Shehu Bala, who spoke via telephone, said many victims sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Kagarko General Hospital, while others with severe injuries were transferred to Kaduna for advanced treatment.
“Some of my friends were inside the hall and were hit by bullets. The shooting was intense, and it’s difficult to determine how many people were taken,” he said.
A community leader, who requested anonymity, confirmed the casualty figure and listed victims including Bako Danjuma, Williams Luka, Peter Williams, and others.
He added that the attackers operated for nearly an hour without resistance, looting shops and carting away food items, provisions, and drugs from a local chemist.
The victims have since been buried, while efforts to establish contact with the abductors are yet to yield results.
Residents were forced to flee into surrounding bushes as panic gripped the community during the attack.
A police source in Kagarko confirmed the incident, noting that authorities are still working to ascertain the exact number of those kidnapped.
The Kaduna State Police Command also acknowledged the attack, with spokesperson DSP Hassan Mansur stating that a detailed report would be released after full assessment.
Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and a federal lawmaker visited injured victims at the hospital in Kagarko.
