At least 30 people, including women, children and elderly residents, have been killed following a deadly overnight attack on Naridon Community in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack reportedly occurred between late Sunday, July 26, and the early hours of Monday, July 27, 2026, when heavily armed gunmen invaded the predominantly farming community, opening fire on residents and setting several houses and shops ablaze.
According to residents and community leaders, the attackers stormed the village at about 11 p.m., shooting at people as they slept and forcing many others to flee for safety.
Community sources said eight children were among those killed, while several other residents sustained injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. Some of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.
Residents also alleged that one family lost five children during the attack.
The Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) confirmed the attack and said about 30 people, including women and children, lost their lives. The group described the incident as part of a growing wave of attacks, kidnappings and destruction affecting communities across Southern Kaduna.
In an appeal to security authorities, SOKAPU President, Engr. Samuel Tabara Kato, called for the urgent deployment of additional security personnel and tactical assets to vulnerable communities in the area.
Some residents claimed security operatives arrived several hours after the attackers had fled.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, while some community leaders alleged that the assailants were suspected armed Fulani militants. The allegation has not been independently verified, and security agencies have not officially identified those responsible.
Reacting to the incident, the Kaduna State Government condemned the killings and directed security agencies to track down those behind the attack.
Governor Uba Sani also expressed condolences to the bereaved families and instructed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to affected residents.
The attack has also drawn reactions from several public figures and organisations, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Amnesty International Nigeria and the Save Nigeria Group USA, all of whom condemned the violence and called for improved protection for rural communities.
Amnesty International Nigeria described the incident as another example of the persistent insecurity affecting vulnerable communities, urging authorities to ensure those responsible are identified and prosecuted.
The latest attack adds to the ongoing security challenges facing parts of Kaduna State, where rural communities have continued to experience attacks, kidnappings and displacement.
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