Suspected bandits on Monday killed two persons and set several vehicles ablaze, including the official vehicle of the Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, during a burial ceremony in Ugom community, Kaduna State.
The incident occurred at Dogon-Noma area of the community while residents and sympathisers were attending the burial of the late father of a local political figure.
Eyewitnesses told Source that the assailants, who arrived on motorcycles, stormed the venue and began shooting sporadically, causing panic and forcing mourners to flee for safety.
Two residents, identified as Bitrus David, 25, and Goma Idi, 40, were reportedly killed during the attack.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of the Ugom Progressive Union, Mr Onnusim Alhaji Ishaya, said the gunmen also set at least four vehicles on fire, including the official vehicle belonging to the council chairman.
“The attackers came suddenly and started shooting. Two of our youths were killed, and vehicles were burnt at the burial ground, including that of the local government chairman,” Ishaya said.
He added that the scale of destruction had thrown the community into mourning and fear, noting that some residents were still unaccounted for as at the time of filing this report.
Residents described the attack as unprovoked, lamenting the recurring insecurity in the area despite repeated appeals to security agencies for increased protection.
Efforts by the Source to obtain official comments from the Nigeria Police Force in the state were unsuccessful, as calls to the command’s spokesperson were not answered as at press time.
The latest incident adds to the growing list of violent attacks linked to banditry in parts of Kaduna State, particularly in rural communities where armed groups have continued to target residents, public officials and social gatherings.
Community leaders have renewed calls on the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to deploy more security personnel to vulnerable areas to prevent further loss of lives and property.
