Suspected bandits have attacked a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing no fewer than 13 persons and abducting an unspecified number of guests.
The assailants were said to have stormed the venue late Sunday night, opening fire on attendees and throwing the gathering into chaos.
Eyewitness accounts indicated that the heavily armed attackers operated for close to an hour without interruption, leaving several persons dead and others injured.
A resident, Shehu Bala, disclosed that the gunmen arrived at about 11:47pm and began shooting sporadically inside the venue, causing panic among those present.
He noted that two of his acquaintances sustained gunshot injuries during the incident.
Victims who suffered injuries were reportedly rushed to the Kagarko General Hospital, while those with severe wounds were referred to medical facilities in Kaduna for advanced care.
A community leader, who confirmed the attack, said 13 persons lost their lives and had since been buried, while efforts were ongoing to ascertain the number of abducted victims.
The source added that the attackers also looted shops within the community, carting away food items, provisions and drugs from a nearby chemist.
“The entire community was gripped by fear due to the intensity of the gunfire, forcing many residents to flee into nearby bushes,” the community leader said.
The Police in Kagarko confirmed the incident, noting that investigations were ongoing to determine the full extent of the attack, particularly the number of those abducted.
The spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, also verified the killings and abductions, assuring that a comprehensive report would be made available after preliminary findings.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, alongside a serving senator, reportedly visited injured victims receiving treatment at the Kagarko General Hospital.