Kahir, Kaduna state - Chaos struck a wedding in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area, on Sunday night, March 29, when bandits stormed the celebration, leaving 13 people dead and kidnapping an unknown number of guests.

Shehu Bala, a resident, as disclosed by Daily Trust, said that the attack occurred around 11:47 pm. “In fact, there are two of my friends who were inside the hall that also sustained bullet injuries during the attack,” he said. The armed gang, reportedly carrying AK-47 rifles, opened fire inside the wedding hall. Many injured victims were rushed to Kagarko General Hospital, while two others with severe injuries were moved to Kaduna.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the killings and identified some of the victims 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. The bandits also raided local shops, stealing food, provisions, and drugs from a chemist, before escaping after nearly an hour of terror. “In fact, the entire people of the community were thrown into pandemonium because of the sporadic shooting by the bandits that Sunday night to the extent some people had to flee into the bush,” the source reportedly said.

Police sources at the Kagarko division confirmed the abduction, though the exact number of victims remains unknown. DSP Hassan Mansur, spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, said a full report will be released once details are confirmed.

Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and Senator Sani Musa visited the injured victims at Kagarko Hospital, showing solidarity with the community.