Suspected bandits have killed nine residents and injured 11 others during a deadly attack on Unguwar Magaji community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday night, threw the community into mourning as armed assailants reportedly invaded the area, opening fire on residents and attacking some victims with machetes.
The spokesperson for the Irigwe Youth Movement, Joseph Yonkpa, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, saying the death toll rose after search and rescue teams recovered additional bodies from the affected area.
According to him, initial reports indicated that two people had been killed during the assault.
However, subsequent recovery operations uncovered seven more corpses, bringing the total number of fatalities to nine.
Yonkpa disclosed that the attackers used sophisticated weapons during the invasion, while several children were among those reportedly targeted, leaving survivors traumatised.
The deceased were identified as Jerry Doctor, Danlami Magani, Sunday Chibi, Rita Abdullahi, Sunday Elkan, Esther Kefas, Happy Friday, Moses Daddy and Daddy Ibrahim.
Those injured in the attack include Halla Monday, Mary Yohanna, Jummai John, Charity Danjuma, Faith Yakubu, Omi Yakubu, Ali Sandiye, Asabe Victor, Srarina Simon, Talatu Sunday and ThankGod Danladi.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The latest attack adds to the growing insecurity in parts of Kaduna State, where several communities have recently come under repeated attacks by armed bandits, resulting in deaths, abductions and displacement of residents.