How gunmen attacked Kaduna community as military vows to arrest perpetrators

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More information has been provided by security sources, who disclosed that the gunmen who invaded Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, attacked the village at about 12:30 am on Monday while the residents were asleep.

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It was further gathered that the attackers released a volley of bullets to kill as many of the residents as possible, even as they went around the village burning houses and looting food supplies, thus, leaving many of the villagers to scamper for safety in the nearby bushes.

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While social media reports claimed 30 deaths, local officials confirmed 25 fatalities with rescue operations still ongoing. However, seven persons were confirmed to have sustained varying degrees of injuries.

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A youth leader, Ishaya Dawa, told Arewa PUNCH that the attack was unprovoked, confirming that,

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`”They came shortly before midnight on Sunday and continued till early Monday. Naridon had been peaceful. Most of those killed were women and children.

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Several homes were destroyed and families have been displaced.”

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Authorities say they have so far identified 28 victims, including Geoffrey Monday, Maria Pius, Ladi Monday, Deborah Emmanuel, and Sunday Yakubu.

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Journalists who accompanied the delegation observed the difficult terrain leading to Naridon Village, with the journey taking nearly two hours from the nearest tarred road.

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They also observed that the poor state of the access road underscores the logistical challenges faced by residents, emergency responders, and security personnel in reaching the remote community, particularly during emergencies.

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Meanwhile, security agencies have assured residents that efforts are underway to strengthen security presence and prevent further attacks.

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Our correspondent reports that this latest information came to fore just as senior officers of the Nigerian Army visited Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, following the deadly attack by yet-to-be-identified gunmen that left at least 25 people dead and several others injured.

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The delegation, led by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Wase, and the GOC 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, visited the community on Tuesday to assess the security situation and commiserate with victims.

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Arewa PUNCH reports further that the team was first briefed at Sector 7 Headquarters, Kafanchan, before proceeding to Naridon, a journey that took nearly two hours due to poor road access.

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Addressing community stakeholders at the village primary school, Major General Dangana condoled with families and pledged a thorough manhunt for the attackers.

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He urged the residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence.

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“We are committed to ensuring that those behind this heinous attack are brought to justice,” he vowed, while encouraging residents to `”remain united and report suspicious activities without fear.”`

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The Chairman of Kauru Local Government Council, Bashir Tanko Dawaki, commended the military leadership for their prompt visit and concern for the affected community.

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He appealed to youths to support security agencies by sharing useful intelligence and warned against shielding criminal elements based on ethnic or religious affiliations.

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Dawaki also disclosed that the Kaduna State Government was making arrangements to provide relief materials to displaced families in the coming days.

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President of the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, Dr. Gideon Para-Mallam, condemned the renewed attack and urged the military to do everything possible to stem the tide of insecurity in Southern Kaduna.

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The latest attack has renewed concerns over persistent insecurity in Kauru LGA, one of the areas in Southern Kaduna that has experienced repeated attacks on rural communities in recent months.

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