An unspecified number of people are feared dead after bandits attacked the Maro Junction market in the Maro Ward of Kajuru local government area, Kaduna State.
Kajuru is considered one of the hotbeds of banditry in Kaduna State.
The Kaduna State police confirmed the incident, stating that five people were injured and one person was killed during the attack.
However, locals report that at least 12 people were shot dead.
ASP Mansir Hassan, the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, confirmed to Channels Television that the bandits invaded the Maro Junction market around 4:30 pm on Wednesday, opening fire on people inside the market and shooting indiscriminately in all directions.
He explained that five people sustained varying degrees of injuries and one was killed during the attack, adding that an investigation is ongoing to determine the exact number of casualties.
The police PRO further mentioned that upon receiving a distress call, police and other security operatives immediately rushed to the area and are currently pursuing the bandits to apprehend them.
According to some locals, the bandits are suspected of having launched the attack from the Kanwa forest in the Kajuru local government area, where one of their camps is located.