Bandits Kill 13 at Wedding Ceremony in Kaduna Village, Abduct Several Others

At least 13 persons have been killed and several others abducted after suspected bandits attacked a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The attack occurred late Sunday night at about 11:47 p.m., sparking fresh concerns over rising insecurity in rural communities across the state.

Eyewitnesses said the gunmen, who arrived in large numbers armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the wedding venue and opened fire indiscriminately on guests.

A resident of the area, Shehu Bala, said the incident threw the community into chaos as guests fled in different directions. “People were running. Many were hit by bullets,” Bala said.

He added that several victims sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko, while those in critical condition were referred to medical facilities in Kaduna for advanced treatment.

Bala noted that the exact number of abducted persons could not be immediately confirmed due to the confusion following the attack.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants operated for nearly an hour without any resistance from security forces. According to the source, the attackers later moved through the village, looting shops and carting away food items, provisions and medical supplies.

Many residents fled into nearby bushes as gunshots echoed across the community.

The victims have since been buried, while efforts to establish contact with the abductors have not yielded results.

The names of those killed were given 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.

A police source in Kagarko confirmed the incident, adding that security agencies had begun efforts to determine the number of those abducted and track down the perpetrators.

The spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, also confirmed the attack, assuring that a detailed report would be released after preliminary investigations.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, alongside Senator Sani Musa, visited injured victims receiving treatment at a hospital in Kagarko. Hospital sources said some of the victims were responding to treatment, while others remained in critical condition.

The attack highlights persistent insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, where several communities have continued to suffer repeated assaults by bandits. Residents have repeatedly called on the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to protect lives and property.

Our correspondent gathered that at least 14 persons abducted in nearby communities three weeks ago are still being held in captivity, raising further concerns among locals.

As of press time, security operatives were said to be combing surrounding forests in search of the attackers and those abducted.