A tragic and deadly bandit attack unfolded on a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, late Sunday night. Heavily armed assailants, described as terrorists or bandits, stormed the venue around 11:47 PM, leaving at least 13 people dead and numerous others abducted. The attackers, wielding AK-47 rifles, opened fire indiscriminately on guests, plunging the celebration into chaos.

Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of terror. Shehu Bala, a resident of Kagarko, recounted that the attackers arrived in large numbers, shooting sporadically inside the wedding hall. Many victims sustained gunshot injuries, with some rushed to Kagarko General Hospital, while two with severe injuries were transferred to Kaduna. Community member Ms. Mafiana Yakubu initially shared details on social media, and David Yakubu later compiled and released lists of victims. The gunmen reportedly operated for nearly an full hour without resistance, causing widespread panic and forcing residents to flee into the bush for safety. During their raid, they also looted local shops, stealing food items, provisions, and drugs from a chemist.

At least 13 individuals lost their lives in the brutal assault. The deceased victims identified include Bako Danjuma, Williams Luka, Peter Williams, Joseph Yakubu, Victor Peter, John Dan Asabe, Angulu Markus (also reported as Dogara Markus), Maikano Aribi, Douglas John, Ado Yakubu, Zaphaniah Alhaji (also reported as Zephaniah Alhaji), Joseph Kaddah, Francis Unguwa Doya (also reported as Francis Amadu), and one unidentified victim.

Beyond the fatalities, several others sustained severe injuries. Identified injured victims include Micah Tanko, Fidelis Awuh, Samson Alhaji, Habila Bulus, Colonius Dauda, Lina Samaila, Bello Alkali, Felix Erick, Francis Tanko, and Doctor Solomon. Among those wounded were two friends of Shehu Bala, who were inside the hall during the attack.

The incident also resulted in a significant number of abductions, with SaharaReporters detailing that 28 individuals were kidnapped. The abductees include Tanko Makeri, Jummai Victor, Tanko Madaki, Beauty Marshal, Mariya Dominic, Awede Tanko, Patience Bitrus, Thadious Augustine, Salome Danladi, Ephraim Monday, Kande Monday, Lucky Monday, Lidiya Benjamin, Gambo Benjamin, Najirgi Yakubu, Danladi Kagarko, Daniel Shehu, Talatu Ibrahim, Dauda Markus, Peace Waziri, Tanko Waziri, Promise Waziri, Asami Dauda, Awuh Adams, Bulus Sunday, Chibi Emmanuel, Peace Luka, and one unidentified victim. The exact number of those abducted remained unclear in the immediate aftermath due to the chaos.

In the wake of the attack, the deceased victims have been buried, though efforts to establish contact with the abductors have yet to yield results. A police source at the Kagarko Division confirmed the incident, and DSP Hassan Mansur, the Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, also confirmed the killings and abductions, noting that full details were still sketchy and a comprehensive report would be made available after due assessment. The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, accompanied by federal lawmaker Senator Sani Musa, visited injured victims receiving treatment at the hospital in Kagarko.

This tragic event is not isolated but part of a continuing series of violent incursions in the region. Several communities, including Janjala, have remained under siege by bandits, with reports indicating that at least 14 persons abducted three weeks prior to this wedding attack are still in captivity, highlighting the pervasive insecurity in the area.