Bandits have killed 13 people during a wedding party in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attackers also injured several guests and abducted an unspecified number during the late-night assault.
A resident of Kagarko, Shehu Bala, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said the attack occurred around 11:47 p.m. on Sunday.
According to him, the assailants, armed with AK-47 rifles, stormed the wedding venue in large numbers and opened fire on guests.
He added that many of the injured victims were taken to Kagarko General Hospital, while two others with severe injuries were referred to Kaduna for further treatment.
“In fact, two of my friends who were inside the hall also sustained bullet injuries during the attack,” Bala said.
“But it is difficult to ascertain the number of those abducted because of the sporadic shootings,” he added.
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident and provided the names of those killed: 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.
The source said the bandits operated unchallenged for nearly an hour, during which they also looted shops, carting away foodstuffs, provisions and drugs from a local chemist.
He added that the victims have since been buried, while no contact has yet been established with the abductors.
“The entire community was thrown into panic due to the sporadic gunfire that night, forcing some residents to flee into the bush,” the community leader said.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, Hassan Mansur, confirmed the killings and abductions but said details were still being compiled.
“The command is yet to get full details of the incident that happened in the Kahir community, but a comprehensive report will be made available after we obtain more information,” he said.
