January 12, 2026 l Reporter: Johnson
KANKARA, Katsina State — Suspected bandits ambushed a wedding convoy in the Unguwar Nagunda community of Kankara Local Government Area on Sunday night, killing at least two people, injuring several others including the bride and abducting an unknown number of wedding guests, security sources and residents report.
According to a security analyst based in Katsina, the attackers opened fire on the convoy as it travelled through the rural area, sparking widespread panic among villagers and guests. Heavy gunfire was heard as armed men descended on the celebrations, forcing many to flee into nearby bushland.
Witnesses say the bride was among those injured and was being treated along with other wounded victims after the attack. Relatives and community members were still working on confirming the exact number of people abducted as of Monday morning, with families anxiously searching for loved ones.
The ambush occurred amid controversy over the Katsina State Government’s plans to release 70 detained suspected terrorist under a peace accord with armed groups across several local government areas a move officials contend is meant to reinforce “existing peace” but which critics fear may embolden criminal elements.
The state police command’s public relations officer DSP Abubakar Sadiq was reportedly unavailable to respond to inquiries by the time of reporting.
This latest incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in northwest Nigeria, where banditry continues to menace rural communities and critical civilian events such as weddings, funerals and market days.