By Wellington Jopelo
At least 13 people 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 happened late Sunday night around 11:47 p.m., throwing the community into panic and raising fresh concerns over insecurity in rural parts of the state.
Eyewitnesses said the gunmen stormed the wedding venue in large numbers and opened fire on guests, causing chaos as people fled for safety.
A resident, Shehu Bala, said the attackers shot sporadically, leaving many guests injured while others ran in different directions to escape.
Several victims who sustained gunshot injuries were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko, while those in critical condition were taken to hospitals in Kaduna for further treatment.
Bala added that the number of abducted persons could not be immediately confirmed due to the confusion during the attack.
A community leader disclosed that the gunmen operated for nearly an hour without any resistance from security forces.
The attackers reportedly moved around the village after the wedding assault, looting shops and taking away food items, provisions and medical supplies.
Residents were said to have fled into nearby bushes as gunshots echoed across the area throughout the incident.
The victims have since been buried, while efforts to reach the abductors have not been successful.
Security agencies confirmed the attack and said investigations were ongoing to track the perpetrators and determine the number of those abducted.
Officials who visited the injured victims at a hospital in Kagarko said some were responding to treatment, while others remained in critical condition.
The incident adds to growing insecurity in Kaduna State, as residents continue to call on authorities to strengthen security and protect lives and property.