A wedding in Kahir village, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, was violently attacked by armed bandits late Sunday, resulting in at least 13 deaths, several abductions, and numerous injuries.
- The attack occurred around 11:47 p.m., with gunmen storming the venue and firing indiscriminately.
- Some injured guests were treated at the General Hospital, Kagarko, while critically wounded individuals were referred to facilities in Kaduna.
- During the assault, attackers reportedly looted nearby shops and a local chemist, seizing food, provisions, and drugs.
Security Context:
- Kaduna is part of Nigeria’s North-West region facing persistent attacks by bandits, along with Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Katsina.
- Terror group Lakurawa has been linked to attacks in Kebbi and Sokoto, often raiding from forest bases and extorting locals.
- Past military operations, including a joint airstrike with the US in Sokoto last Christmas, have had limited success in curbing banditry.
- The conflict has spilled into Niger, Chad, and Cameroon, prompting a regional coalition that has slowed after Niger’s withdrawal following its 2023 coup.
- Earlier this month, the US Africa Command deployed 200 troops to Nigeria to provide training and technical support in countering these groups.
Authorities have launched a manhunt for the attackers, pledging to bring them to justice, as communities continue to grapple with insecurity in northern Nigeria.
This incident highlights the ongoing and escalating security crisis in Nigeria’s North-West, where armed groups continue to target civilians and disrupt daily life.
