Tragedy struck in Kahir village, Kaduna State, as armed bandits stormed a wedding celebration late Sunday night, killing at least 13 people and abducting an unspecified number of guests in a brazen attack that has left the community in shock and mourning.
News Point Nigeria gathered that the attack occurred at about 11:47pm in Kagarko Local Government Area, when heavily armed gunmen invaded the wedding venue and opened fire indiscriminately on attendees.
A resident, Shehu Bala, who spoke via telephone, said the attackers arrived in large numbers, wielding AK-47 rifles, and immediately began shooting into the crowded hall.
“They stormed the wedding and opened fire. People were running in all directions. It was complete chaos,” he said.
According to him, several guests sustained gunshot wounds during the assault and were rushed to Kagarko General Hospital for treatment, while two critically injured victims were transferred to facilities in Kaduna for advanced care.
“In fact, two of my friends who were inside the hall were also shot,” Bala added.
A community leader, who requested anonymity, confirmed that at least 13 people were killed in the attack. He listed some of the victims as Bako Danjuma, Williams Luka, Peter Williams, Joseph Yakubu, Victor Peter, John Dan Asabe, Angulu Markus, Maikano Aribi, Douglas John, Ado Yakubu, Zaphaniah Alhaji, Joseph Kaddah, and Francis Unguwa Doya.
He added that the victims had since been buried in accordance with local customs.
While the exact number of abducted persons remains unclear, residents said several individuals were taken away by the attackers during the confusion caused by the gunfire.
“One cannot ascertain the number of those kidnapped because of the sporadic shooting,” Bala explained.
The community leader also confirmed that efforts to establish contact with the kidnappers had yet to yield results as of Monday.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that the bandits operated unchallenged for nearly an hour, during which they not only attacked the wedding but also looted nearby shops.
“They invaded shops and carted away food items, provisions, and drugs from a chemist,” the community leader said.
He described the scene as one of total panic, with many residents fleeing into nearby bushes to escape the gunfire.
“The entire community was thrown into pandemonium. People ran for their lives,” he added.
A police source at the Kagarko division confirmed both the killings and abductions but said authorities were still working to determine the exact number of victims.
The spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, also confirmed the incident, noting that a comprehensive report would be released after detailed assessments.
“The command is yet to get full details, but a comprehensive report will be made available,” he said.
Sources disclosed that the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, alongside Sani Musa, visited injured victims receiving treatment at the hospital in Kagarko.