Armed assailants have attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least seven people and abducting several others during Easter worship.
The incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, reportedly targeted two places of worship—First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church—leaving the area in chaos.
The councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, confirmed the development in a phone conversation, stating that he was heading to the community to obtain accurate details of the casualties.
He noted that varying figures had been reported, with some sources claiming seven deaths while others suggested eight, adding that a clearer picture would emerge after on-the-ground assessment.
Bawa blamed the scale of the attack on poor network coverage in the area, which he said may have hindered a swift response from security agencies.
According to him, the attackers arrived in large numbers, surrounded the community and opened fire indiscriminately on worshippers before taking several victims into the bush.
Residents expressed concern that the gunmen operated for a considerable period without any intervention, exposing the vulnerability of rural settlements.
The latest incident follows a similar attack in February 2026 at Kurmin Wali community in the same local government, where several church members were kidnapped, triggering public outcry.
When reached for comments, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Mansir Hassan, said further information on the attack would be released after preliminary findings.
Observers have continued to warn that repeated attacks in Southern Kaduna highlight lingering security challenges, particularly during religious events and festive seasons.
