Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
KADUNA STATE, Nigeria — A joyous wedding celebration turned into one of the deadliest assaults this year when armed bandits stormed a wedding party in Kahir village, located in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, leaving at least 13 people dead and a number of guests abducted late on Sunday night. The attack, carried out in the dead of night, has plunged the tight-knit community into mourning and reignited urgent calls for strengthened security in vulnerable rural areas.
The assault unfolded at about 11:47 p.m. on March 29, 2026, when a large group of gunmen, reportedly carrying rifles and other weapons, descended on the wedding venue as family and friends gathered to celebrate. Eyewitnesses described a shocking scene of gunfire erupting inside and around the hall, prompting panic and chaos as guests scrambled to flee.
One resident, who spoke to reporters, said the bandits opened fire indiscriminately on the crowd. Several people present at the celebration were wounded; some were treated at Kagarko General Hospital, while at least two critically injured victims were later transferred to medical facilities in the city of Kaduna for advanced care.
Community leaders have confirmed the identities of some of the victims who were killed in the attack. Among those named were 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, and Francis Unguwa Doya — a list that reflects how the tragedy cut across families and social networks within the village.
Amid the gunfire and confusion, a number of wedding guests were forcibly taken away by the attackers. At this stage, authorities and local sources have not confirmed the exact number of people abducted, a situation that has deepened anxiety among relatives and community members. Survivors said the confusion of the midnight raid made it difficult to account immediately for all missing persons.
Eyewitnesses further reported that the armed gang extended its activities beyond the wedding hall. Bandits reportedly raided nearby shops, looting food supplies, provisions, and medicines from a community chemist, before disappearing into the sparse terrain that surrounds Kahir village. One local noted that the attackers operated without resistance for nearly an hour, intensifying fears about the speed and coordination of the assault.
The tragedy has provoked a wave of grief across Kagarko and neighbouring communities. Relatives gathered to conduct hurried funeral rites for the deceased in line with cultural customs, while others remain at hospitals anxiously awaiting news of injured loved ones and those taken during the raid.
Security officials in Kaduna have acknowledged the incident, with spokespeople from the Kaduna State Police Command confirming that investigations are ongoing. They have said detailed reports will be released as more verified information becomes available, including updates on the number of people kidnapped. The police’s response included confirming the deaths and abductions, and affirming that units had been deployed to pursue leads and try to locate the perpetrators.
In the immediate aftermath of the attack, state officials moved to show solidarity with the victims. The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, and Senator Sani Musa visited injured victims receiving treatment at the hospital in Kagarko. They offered condolences to bereaved families and pledged that the government would intensify efforts to secure the area and pursue justice for the victims.
The community of Kahir and its environs are part of southern Kaduna, an area that has been periodically affected by violence from armed groups over recent years. Its rural geography — marked by remote settlements and forested areas — has made it a challenging environment for law enforcement and security operations. Experts say these characteristics have enabled criminal networks to mount raids with relative impunity and retreat into hard-to-access terrain, complicating rapid response.
The attack comes at a time when Kaduna State and Nigeria at large are grappling with a range of interlinked security threats. In other parts of the state, including Zangon Kataf and surrounding local government areas, there have been persistent reports of banditry, kidnappings, communal crises, and farm raids dating back several years. These layers of insecurity have complicated efforts by federal, state, and local agencies to protect civilians and stabilize rural communities.
Relatives and community leaders have appealed for urgent search and rescue operations while urging security forces to redouble efforts to dismantle criminal gangs responsible for such large-scale violence. Civil society groups have added their voices to calls for a more coordinated and sustained security strategy to protect vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and border areas where such attacks have become tragically frequent.
As the investigation unfolds, families in Kahir and affected communities remain in deep distress, with many living in fear of further violence even as they mourn those lost and pray for the safe return of those abducted.
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