At least 30 people, including eight children, were killed on Sunday night when terrorists attacked Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
The attack began around 11 p.m., leaving dozens injured and destroying numerous homes and businesses. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from the Kaduna State Government, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, and the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Usman Bawa.
Naridon, a border community between Kaduna State and Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, was reportedly targeted by armed assailants who opened fire indiscriminately and set houses ablaze.
Dogon Rana, Secretary to the Village Head of Naridon, confirmed the assault to The PUNCH in a phone interview on Monday. “We have confirmed the killing of 30 people, including eight children, but we fear the death toll may rise as some of the injured are in critical condition,” he said. Four people are currently receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries.
Rana described the devastating impact on the community, noting that many families lost loved ones and property worth millions of naira was destroyed. “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 tragedy has plunged the entire community into mourning,” he added. Rana’s own house was among those burned, along with several shops and other buildings.
Another resident, speaking anonymously for security reasons, reported that 22 members of the Rana family alone were killed and that most businesses in the area were destroyed. He alleged that the attack lasted about three hours without intervention from security personnel stationed just two kilometres away in Kamaru and Ungwan Magaji. “As we speak, only one military officer and four mobile police officers have been deployed to the community,” he said.
Rana partly attributed the high casualty rate to the lack of a motorable access road, which delayed emergency response and hampered residents’ escape. “If our road had been passable, the casualty figure would not have been this high because help could have reached us in time and many people could have escaped,” he said. He appealed to both the Federal and Kaduna State governments to deploy more security forces and construct an access road to the community.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani described the attack as tragic and directed security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators. In a statement from the Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, the governor also ordered the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to affected families. The state government pledged to work with the Plateau State Government, security agencies, and traditional institutions to strengthen security along the Kaduna–Plateau border.
PDP governorship candidate Usman Bawa called the attack “a horrifying act of barbarity” and demanded the immediate deployment of additional security personnel to Kauru and other vulnerable communities. He also called for a comprehensive investigation, the prosecution of those responsible, and urgent humanitarian support for survivors and displaced families.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, now the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, condemned the killings as evidence of the Federal Government’s failure to protect citizens. “The reported killing of scores of innocent Nigerians in Kauru Local Government Area is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” Atiku said, urging the Federal Government to overhaul the nation’s security architecture. He argued that routine condemnations were no longer enough and advocated for intelligence-driven operations, swift prosecution of perpetrators, and proactive measures to prevent further attacks. Atiku also called on security agencies to remain vigilant as political activities ramp up ahead of the 2027 general elections. “The people of Southern Kaduna and, indeed, all Nigerians, do not need letters of praise from foreign capitals. They need security,” he said, apparently referring to the Tinubu administration’s claims of international commendation for its counter-terrorism efforts.
This latest attack has renewed concerns over the security situation in Southern Kaduna and communities along the Kaduna–Plateau border, which have endured repeated killings, kidnappings, displacement, and destruction of property. Despite ongoing security operations, residents in Kauru and neighbouring parts of Plateau State continue to suffer attacks linked to armed groups, communal violence, and disputes over land, farming, and grazing rights.
