Banditry returned with a deadly vengeance over the weekend in northern and central Nigeria, leaving scores dead, dozens injured, and communities in chaos.
In Kaduna State, a wedding in Kahir village, Kagarko Local Government Area, turned into a massacre Sunday night when gunmen stormed the venue around 11:47 pm. Armed with AK-47 rifles, the attackers opened fire on guests, killing 13 people and abducting an unknown number of others.
Shehu Bala, a local resident, told reporters that several injured victims were rushed to Kagarko General Hospital, while two others with critical injuries were transferred to Kaduna for treatment. “Some of my friends were caught in the shooting. The bandits operated for nearly an hour, making it impossible to determine the number of abducted people,” Bala said.
The deceased include 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 community leader, speaking anonymously, said the attackers also raided shops and a local chemist, carting away foodstuffs and medical supplies. “The attack threw the entire community into panic. Many residents fled into the bush to escape the gunfire,” he said.
Kaduna State police confirmed the attack, with spokesperson DSP Hassan Mansur stating that a full report would be released after details are verified. Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe and Senator Sani Musa visited the injured at Kagarko General Hospital.
Meanwhile, in Plateau State, 14 people were killed in a separate attack on Anguwan Rukuba community, Jos North Local Government Area. The state police confirmed that 12 victims were found dead at the scene, with two more bodies recovered from nearby bushes. Two of the victims were women.
Eyewitnesses reported that gunmen on motorcycles struck around 7:30 pm, opening fire indiscriminately and creating widespread panic. The President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Barrister Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri, said the actual death toll could be as high as 27, including those who later died from injuries in hospital.
Plateau State Commissioner of Police Bassey Ewah assured residents that a joint operation involving police and other security agencies is underway to apprehend the attackers. He also condoled with the families of the victims and appealed for community cooperation to restore calm.
Both attacks highlight the continuing security challenges in Kaduna and Plateau states, raising urgent calls for more robust measures to protect vulnerable communities from recurrent bandit violence.
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