By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka in Abuja
At least 30 people, including women and children, have been confirmed dead after gunmen attacked Naridon Village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday night. The attack left several houses razed and the community in mourning, amid fresh fears over the deteriorating security situation in Southern Kaduna.
The attack occurred late Sunday and targeted residents in their homes, according to SaharaReporters on Monday. Eyewitness accounts said the assailants opened fire indiscriminately before setting houses ablaze.
Two community sources, Ibrahim John and Mallam Katuka, confirmed the incident in WhatsApp messages sent directly to SaharaReporters. They described scenes of chaos as villagers fled for safety.
Residents of Naridon said at least 30 bodies have so far been recovered from the village and surrounding bushes. There are fears that the death toll may rise as search and recovery efforts continue.
Photographs obtained from the community show widespread destruction. Several residential buildings were reduced to ashes, with personal belongings and foodstuffs destroyed.
The number of people injured or displaced had not been confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Details are still emerging as families search for missing relatives.
The attack has heightened concerns over worsening insecurity in Kauru LGA and other vulnerable communities across Southern Kaduna. Locals say attacks have become more frequent with little deterrence.
Community leaders have called on the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies to urgently deploy more personnel to the area. They also demanded decisive action to prevent further attacks.
“We are tired of burying our people,” a resident told SaharaReporters. “Government must act now before Naridon is wiped out completely.”
The Naridon attack comes amid a wave of deadly violence and kidnappings across Southern Kaduna. On Friday, SaharaReporters reported that at least eight people linked to hostages abducted from Ariko and Awon villages in Kachia LGA had died in captivity.
According to journalist and former Kaduna State Government spokesperson Reuben Buhari, seven of the victims were abducted from Ariko village, while the eighth was a newborn delivered by a woman kidnapped from Awon village. The victims reportedly died after spending more than three months in captivity under harsh conditions, further underscoring the security crisis confronting Southern Kaduna communities.
