A deadly attack by armed bandits disrupted a wedding ceremony in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leaving at least 13 people dead, several others abducted and many injured.
Police in the state confirmed the incident, noting that efforts are ongoing to ascertain full details, including the number of those abducted.
According to a community leader, Musa Adamu, the attack occurred at about 11:47 p.m. on Sunday.
He explained that the assailants, who arrived in large numbers and were heavily armed, stormed the venue and opened fire indiscriminately on guests inside the hall.
Several victims sustained gunshot wounds and were taken to the General Hospital in Kagarko, while those in more critical condition were referred to hospitals in Kaduna.
Residents said the attackers operated for nearly an hour without resistance, during which they also looted nearby shops, carting away food items, provisions and drugs from a local chemist.
Police authorities added that a manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Kaduna is among several states in Nigeria’s North-West region affected by banditry, alongside Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara and Katsina.
In addition to bandit groups, another armed faction known as Lakurawa has been blamed for attacks in parts of Kebbi and Sokoto, where its members reportedly conduct raids from forest hideouts, rustle livestock and impose levies on local communities.
The Federal Government, in collaboration with the United States military, previously carried out an airstrike in Sokoto targeting members of the group and other bandit networks.
Nigeria continues to face multiple security challenges in its northern region, with military operations yielding limited success.
The crisis has also spread to neighbouring Niger, Chad and Cameroon, prompting the formation of a regional military coalition, although its effectiveness has declined following Niger’s withdrawal after a diplomatic dispute with Nigeria in the wake of the 2023 coup.
Earlier this month, the United States began deploying troops to Nigeria to provide technical assistance and training support to help combat jihadist groups, with about 200 personnel expected to participate in the mission.