By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

A deadly attack by armed bandits has claimed the lives of at least 13 people during a wedding celebration in Kahir village, located in the Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. 

The tragic incident, which occurred late Sunday night, also resulted in the abduction of several other guests and left many others with various degrees of injuries.

According to a community leader, Musa Adamu, the gunmen stormed the venue at approximately 11:47 p.m. armed with sophisticated weapons. Upon arrival, the attackers began shooting indiscriminately into the crowd of celebrants inside the hall, creating a scene of chaos and terror as guests scrambled for safety.

The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the incident and stated that authorities are currently gathering full details regarding the attack.

While the death toll stands at 13, the exact number of individuals who were abducted by the bandits during the raid is still being verified by security officials.

In the aftermath of the shooting, several survivors who sustained gunshot wounds were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko for emergency treatment.

Those with more critical or life-threatening injuries were reportedly referred to more advanced medical facilities within Kaduna city for specialized care.

Witnesses from the community reported that the gunmen operated for nearly an hour without any immediate resistance from security forces. During this period, the bandits did not only focus on the wedding guests but also looted nearby shops, stealing food items, general provisions, and drugs from a local chemist.

Following the departure of the attackers, police authorities announced that a manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators.

The goal of the ongoing operation is to arrest those responsible for the carnage and ensure they are brought to justice for the lives lost and the trauma inflicted on the village.

Kaduna remains one of several states in North-West Nigeria currently under siege by banditry, alongside Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina. These groups frequently stage raids from forest bases, imposing illegal taxes on locals and kidnapping residents for ransom, which has significantly hampered regional stability.

To combat this rising insecurity, the Federal Government has recently sought international assistance, with the United States deploying troops to provide technical and training support. Despite these efforts and previous military air strikes against terror groups like Lakurawa, local communities continue to face devastating attacks such as this recent wedding tragedy.