Thirteen people have been killed and an unknown number of guests abducted after bandits attacked a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The attack occurred on Sunday at approximately 11:47pm, with the bandits storming the wedding venue in large numbers and opening fire inside the hall. Several other guests sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to Kagarko General Hospital for treatment, while two victims with serious injuries were referred to Kaduna for further care.
A resident of the area, Shehu Bala, witnessed the attack and described the chaos that followed. He said it was difficult to determine the number of persons abducted due to the chaos that ensued. A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also confirmed the incident and listed the names of those killed. The victims have since been buried, and no contact has been established with the abductors.
Security operatives have launched a search operation to track the fleeing attackers and rescue the abducted victims. The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed the attack, but the number of abducted persons is still being verified. The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and Senator Sani Musa visited injured victims receiving treatment at the Kagarko General Hospital.
The Kaduna State Police Command's delay in providing a comprehensive report on the incident raises concerns about its ability to effectively respond to security threats. The fact that several communities, including Janjala, have remained under sustained attacks by bandits highlights the need for the government to take decisive action to address the security crisis. The reported ransom demand of N14 million for the release of 14 abducted people is a stark reminder of the economic burden that insecurity places on individuals and families. The government must take concrete steps to protect its citizens and bring an end to these senseless attacks. The Kaduna State government's response to this incident will be closely watched by Nigerians, who expect decisive action to address the security crisis.
