Gunmen have attacked Bundu-Kahugu community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing four residents and injuring seven others.
The assault, which occurred on Wednesday night, shattered the calm of the usually peaceful settlement and plunged residents into mourning.
Those killed were identified as Apolos Emmanuel (19), Wilas Yahaya (25), Darius Sunday (12) and Nehemiah Jonathan (25). Seven other residents sustained gunshot injuries.
The injured were named as Andrew Soda (40), Dominic Audu (37), Nabal Gagare (34), Cornelius Emmanuel (18), Francis Danzaria (36), Sani Dini (19) and Pius Aminu (20).
A source said the attackers stormed the community under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically and triggering panic among villagers.
The source added that the incident marked the second deadly attack in the area, recalling a similar assault in 2012 that also claimed four lives.
Those killed in the earlier attack were identified as Chindo Mukaddas, Sarah Tatiyan, Jonah Kawari and Daniel Micah.
Describing the renewed violence as shocking, the source noted that the Kahugu nation has long been known for peaceful coexistence. Bundu-Kahugu, one of the seven major communities in the Kaguu (Kahugu) nation, was said to have no history of attacking neighbouring communities.
The source appealed to the government and security agencies to urgently intervene to safeguard lives and property in the area.
Efforts to get the reaction of the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson, Mansir Hussaini, could not be reached at press time.