Suspected bandits launched a deadly assault on a wedding gathering in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leaving at least 13 people dead.

The attack occurred during the late hours of Sunday and lasted into the early hours of Monday morning.

Consequently, what was intended to be a celebration turned into a scene of carnage as gunmen opened fire indiscriminately on attendees.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the assailants arrived in large numbers at approximately 11:47 p.m.

They reportedly surrounded the venue before launching the raid, causing panic and forcing guests to flee for their lives.

Panic In Kahir Village As Gunmen Abduct Wedding Guests

Residents reported that the attackers moved through the crowd with precision, targetting specific individuals while shooting others on the spot.

Meanwhile, several guests were forcibly taken away to an unknown location.

Survivors described a chaotic scene where family members were separated in the darkness. Many fled into nearby bushes to escape the hail of bullets, remaining in hiding until the early morning hours.

“The attackers arrived in large numbers, firing indiscriminately into the crowd and causing panic among attendees,” one local source stated on Monday.

Furthermore, those who suffered critical injuries were rushed to the General Hospital in Kagarko.

However, some victims in critical condition were later transferred to specialized facilities in Kaduna for advanced medical treatment.

According to Channels Television, the exact number of those abducted is still unclear.

Local officials are currently working with community leaders to compile a comprehensive manifest of the missing guests.

Security Agencies Launch Search And Rescue Operations

The Kaduna State Police Command has yet to release a full official statement regarding the casualty figures.

However, local security sources confirm that a search and rescue operation is currently underway in the surrounding forests.

The attack on Kahir village adds to a growing list of violent incidents in the Kagarko and Kajuru axis.

Armed groups have continued to carry out raids and kidnappings despite increased military presence in the region.

Horizontal information reveals that the Kagarko LGA is a strategic gateway between the Federal Capital Territory and Kaduna.

Consequently, its rural communities have frequently become targets for kidnapping syndicates operating along the corridor.

“Security agencies are actively addressing the situation and public cooperation is essential to maintaining peace,” the Presidency alleged in a broader statement on national security.

Meanwhile, Governor Uba Sani has reportedly directed the state’s internal security ministry to provide immediate support to the affected families.

He praised the resilience of local vigilantes who attempted to repel the attackers during the initial raid.

The people of Kahir now face a grim reality of loss. Many families may now be waiting by their phones, hoping for information on the safe return of their loved ones.