Prosper Okoye
Gunmen attacked a wedding party late Sunday in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna state, killing at least 13 people and abducting an unknown number of guests, local residents and authorities said.
It was reported that attackers, wielding AK-47 rifles, stormed the wedding hall around 11:47 p.m. and opened fire. Several people injured in the attack were taken to Kagarko General Hospital, while two others with serious injuries were transferred to Kaduna city for treatment.
An eye witness said he knew two friends who were wounded during the raid. “The exact number of those kidnapped cannot be confirmed because of the sporadic shooting,” he added.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA community leader, who requested anonymity, confirmed the attack and provided the names of those killed: 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 attackers, who operated for nearly an hour without interference, also looted shops, taking food, provisions, and drugs from a local chemist, the community leader said. The victims who were killed have been buried, but authorities have yet to make contact with the abductors.
A police source at the Kagarko division confirmed the attack and abductions, though the number of kidnapped victims is still unclear. Kaduna state police spokesperson DSP Hassan Mansur said the command is investigating the incident and will release a detailed report once all information is collected.
READ ALSO:
Obi Condemns Arrest of Kaduna Cleric After Post-Meeting Detention
Passengers Injured as Abuja–Kaduna Train Suffers Collision Near Asham
Police Confirm Mass Abduction in Kaduna After Initial Denials
The attack comes amid a wave of banditry in Kaduna and other states. Media sources reported that several communities, including Janjala, have been under siege by armed groups, and at least 14 people abducted in the area three weeks ago, including a vigilante operative and his wife, remain in captivity.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
