Gunmen have attacked Damakasuwa community in Chawai Chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing seven residents and leaving one person injured.
It was gathered that the assailants stormed the community around 8:00 pm and opened fire indiscriminately, forcing villagers to scamper into nearby bushes for safety.
A source from the area said the attackers fired gunshots from multiple directions for several minutes without any immediate response from security personnel, causing panic among residents.
Confirming the incident, the Paramount Chief of Chawai, Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad, said five persons were shot dead on the spot, while two others who sustained severe gunshot injuries later died.
He explained that although the attack initially created tension, the situation had been brought under control following the deployment of military personnel to the area.
He said, “We’ve urged our people to remain calm and allow the security agencies to carry out their diligent work to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended.”
It was further gathered that the gunmen fired at random, targeting villagers who were either winding down their day or still involved in evening activities.
The incident has heightened fears in nearby communities within the Chawai axis of Kauru LGA, which has recently suffered repeated attacks, abductions, and killings.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies. Efforts to reach the spokesman of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful.