At least two people have been killed and three others injured after armed men attacked a burial ceremony in Angwar Magaji village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The assault reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when suspected bandits stormed the community during a funeral gathering, turning what was meant to be a solemn occasion into a scene of panic and violence.
Eyewitness accounts and security sources said the attackers arrived in large numbers and opened fire indiscriminately on mourners who had gathered to pay their final respects to a deceased community member. The sudden attack caused residents to flee in different directions for safety.
Zagazola Makama, asecurity analyst and counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region confirmed the incident in a post shared on social media, citing information from security sources.
According to reports, the armed men operated for several minutes before retreating from the area. By the time calm returned, two persons had already been confirmed dead, while three others were found with varying degrees of gunshot wounds.
The injured victims were immediately taken to the Primary Health Care Centre in Barkin Kogi, where they are currently receiving medical treatment.
Troops under Operation Enduring Peace were later deployed to the area following a distress call from residents. Although the attackers had fled before the arrival of security personnel, soldiers secured the community and assisted in evacuation efforts.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks in surrounding communities, which have witnessed repeated incidents of violence in recent times.
Residents of Angwar Magaji have expressed shock over the incident, noting that burial ceremonies—traditionally moments of unity and mourning—have increasingly become targets of violent attacks.
Community members have also renewed calls for stronger security presence and faster response from authorities in rural areas across Kaduna State.