NIGERIA: Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was thrown into mourning after suspected bandits stormed a wedding celebration late Sunday night, killing 13 guests and abducting an unspecified number of people.
The attack occurred at about 11:47 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026, when a large group of armed bandits, wielding AK-47 rifles, invaded the wedding venue and opened fire indiscriminately on guests.
A resident of Kagarko, Shehu Bala, who confirmed the incident, said the assailants operated for nearly an hour with little resistance. Several people sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko, while two with severe injuries were referred to Kaduna for further treatment.
Bala added that two of his friends inside the hall were among those injured. He noted that the exact number of abducted persons remains difficult to ascertain due to the chaos caused by sporadic shooting.
Victims Identified
A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, identified the 13 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
- Francis Unguwa Doya
The victims were buried shortly after the incident.
Looting and Panic
The bandits also looted shops in the area, carting away food items, provisions, and drugs from a local chemist. Panic gripped the community, with some residents fleeing into the bush for safety.
A police source at the Kagarko Division and the Kaduna State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Hassan Mansur, confirmed the attack. Mansur stated that both killings and abductions took place, but the command is still gathering full details.
“The command is yet to obtain full details of the incident in Kahir community. A comprehensive report will be made available once all facts are established,” he said.
The police spokesperson added that security operatives have launched a manhunt for the fleeing bandits with the aim of rescuing those abducted.
Deputy Governor Visits Victims
Meanwhile, the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, alongside Senator Sani Musa, visited the injured victims receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Kagarko.
Pattern of Attacks
The attack is the latest in a series of banditry incidents in parts of Kagarko LGA. About three weeks ago, 14 people, including a vigilante and his wife, were abducted from the nearby Janjala area and remain in captivity, with their abductors reportedly demanding a N14 million ransom.
