Fresh outrage has followed the killing of at least 30 people, including eight children, after suspected terrorists attacked Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The late-night attack, which reportedly began around 11 p.m. on Sunday, saw gunmen invade the border community between Kaduna and Plateau states, shooting residents indiscriminately, setting houses ablaze and destroying businesses. Survivors said the assault lasted for several hours, leaving dozens dead, many injured and several others missing.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks in Southern Kaduna in recent years. The group said many villagers who fled into nearby bushes were pursued and killed, while search efforts continued to recover bodies from homes and surrounding farmlands.
The Secretary to the Village Head of Naridon, Dogon Rana, confirmed that 30 deaths had been recorded, including eight children. He warned that the toll could rise because several injured victims remain in critical condition.
“There is someone in this village who lost five children in one night. The only surviving child is critically injured and fighting for his life. This is a tragedy that has thrown the entire community into mourning,” Rana said.
Rana also revealed that his own house was among those razed during the attack. Another resident alleged that 22 members of the Rana family were killed and claimed security personnel stationed less than two kilometres away did not intervene despite the attack lasting for about three hours.
According to community leaders, the absence of a motorable access road worsened the tragedy by delaying emergency response and making it difficult for residents to flee. They appealed to both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to improve road infrastructure and deploy more security personnel to the area.
Reacting to the killings, Governor Uba Sani described the attack as tragic and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and arrest those responsible. He also ordered the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to provide immediate relief materials and humanitarian assistance to affected families. The state government said it would strengthen security collaboration with Plateau State and other stakeholders to protect border communities.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar also condemned the attack, describing it as another indication of the Federal Government’s failure to protect lives and property.
“Every life lost is a painful indictment of a government that has repeatedly promised security but continues to preside over an expanding landscape of bloodshed,” Atiku said in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
The former vice president called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, urging intelligence-driven operations, the swift arrest and prosecution of attackers, and stronger protection for vulnerable communities. He also extended condolences to bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Usman Bawa, likewise condemned the massacre, describing it as “a horrifying act of barbarity.” He called for additional security deployment, a thorough investigation, justice for the victims and urgent humanitarian support for displaced residents.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Southern Kaduna and communities along the Kaduna–Plateau border, where repeated attacks, kidnappings, displacement and destruction of property have continued despite ongoing security operations.
