No fewer than seven persons have been confirmed dead after suspected terrorists attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State during Easter celebrations.
The assault, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, was said to have been carried out at two churches—First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church—causing widespread panic among residents.
The councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, who confirmed the incident via telephone, said he was on his way to the area to verify the exact number of casualties.
He explained that initial reports were inconsistent, with some indicating seven deaths and others suggesting eight, adding that a comprehensive update would follow after proper assessment.
Bawa linked the severity of the attack to poor telecommunications service in the community, noting that the situation may have delayed emergency response.
He revealed that the attackers stormed the area in large numbers, encircled the worship centres and opened fire on congregants before taking an unspecified number of people into the bush.
Residents lamented that the assailants operated freely for a prolonged period without interruption, raising fresh concerns over the safety of communities in the area.
The incident comes barely weeks after a similar episode in Kurmin Wali, also within Kachia Local Government Area, where several churchgoers were abducted during a service in February 2026.
Efforts to get a detailed response from the Kaduna State Police Command were ongoing as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he would provide updates after gathering necessary information.
Security observers have warned that the repeated attacks in Southern Kaduna point to persistent vulnerabilities, especially during religious gatherings and festive periods.
