At least 14 persons, mostly children, have been killed and 19 others wounded after bandits invaded Maulud Celebration Ground in Rugar Kusa Community, Musawa Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The attack, which appears to be a reprisal and lasted for over an hour, saw the hoodlums abduct at least 20 residents to an unknown destination.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bandits arrived at the celebration venue on Sunday and began shooting with sophisticated weapons to scare the residents.
Six of those killed were from the Rugar Kusa Community, two from Gidan Malamai, and six from Yar Unguwa of Musawa and Matazu LGAs.
Those injured are receiving treatment in both Musawa General Hospital and the Federal Teaching Hospital, Katsina.
One eyewitness, Abdulaziz Ibrahim, told reporters that 60 children were attending the celebration when the bandits stormed the venue, after which the hoodlums started visiting house to house to abduct other innocent people, mostly women.