Suspected terrorists have attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least seven persons and abducting several others during Easter celebrations.
Kano Times gathered that the assailants stormed the community in the early hours of Sunday, targeting two worship centres — First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church — causing panic among residents.
The councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident to journalists via a telephone conversation on Sunday.
Bawa said he was on his way to the affected community to verify the exact number of casualties, noting that conflicting reports had emerged.
“I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties. Some sources said seven persons were killed, while others claimed eight. I will provide an update once details are confirmed,” he said.
He explained that poor telecommunications network in the area may have delayed a swift response to the attack.
According to him, the attackers, who reportedly came in large numbers, surrounded the community and opened fire on worshippers.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, and many others were taken away into the bush,” Bawa added.
Residents also disclosed that the gunmen operated for an extended period without resistance, raising concerns over the security situation in the area.
The incident is coming barely two months after a similar attack in Kurmin Wali community, also in Kachia Local Government Area, where several worshippers were abducted during a church service in February 2026.
Efforts to get a response from the Kaduna State Police Command were ongoing at the time of filing this report, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he would provide further details later.
The recurring attacks have continued to raise concerns over the safety of rural communities in Southern Kaduna, especially during religious gatherings and festive periods.
