At least 30 people were killed in a Southern Kaduna Attack on Naridon village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Sunday, 26 July 2026, after gunmen stormed the community, killing residents and setting homes ablaze, according to local sources.
The latest Southern Kaduna Attack has intensified concerns over the deteriorating security situation in the region, where communities have repeatedly suffered deadly assaults, kidnappings and displacement in recent years.
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Community sources identified as Ibrahim John and Mallam Katuka told local media that the attackers struck the village on Sunday night, leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
The sources said women and children were among those killed during the assault.
Residents told journalists that at least 30 bodies had been recovered by Monday morning, although search and recovery operations were still ongoing, raising fears that the death toll could increase.
Photographs circulating from the community showed several homes destroyed by fire, while survivors described scenes of panic as residents fled for safety.
Independent verification of the casualty figures and images was still ongoing at the time of reporting.
The number of people injured or displaced had not been officially confirmed, and Kaduna State authorities had yet to release a detailed statement on the incident.
Residents and community leaders have appealed to the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to deploy additional personnel to vulnerable communities and strengthen measures aimed at preventing further attacks.
The incident comes amid persistent insecurity across Southern Kaduna, where several communities have experienced repeated violence linked to armed attacks and kidnappings.
Just days earlier, reports indicated that at least eight people abducted from Ariko and Awon villages in Kachia Local Government Area had died while in captivity after spending more than three months with their captors.
According to journalist and former Kaduna State Government spokesperson Reuben Buhari, seven of the deceased were among residents kidnapped from Ariko village, while the eighth was a newborn delivered by a woman abducted from neighbouring Awon village.
The latest attack is expected to renew calls for more effective security operations and long-term measures to protect communities across Southern Kaduna, where residents have repeatedly urged authorities to address the cycle of violence.
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As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had not announced any arrests or identified those responsible for the Naridon village attack. Investigations are expected to continue as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Ibrahim Onipede is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, public affairs, and human-interest stories.
