At least 30 people have been confirmed dead after gunmen attacked Naridon village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing residents and setting homes ablaze in a late-night assault on Sunday.
The victims reportedly include women and children, while dozens of houses were destroyed by fire during the attack.
Residents said no fewer than 30 bodies had been recovered by Monday, although they fear the death toll could rise as search and rescue efforts continue in the affected community.
Images from the village showed extensive destruction, with many homes reduced to rubble after being engulfed by flames.
Authorities had yet to confirm the number of people injured or displaced as emergency responders and local residents continued to assess the scale of the devastation.
The latest incident has renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Kauru and other parts of Southern Kaduna, where communities have repeatedly come under attack in recent years.
Residents and community leaders called on the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government and security agencies to step up security operations and take urgent action to prevent further bloodshed.
The attack comes just days after another tragedy in Southern Kaduna. Last Friday, reports indicated that at least eight people abducted from Ariko and Awon villages in Kachia Local Government Area died while being held captive.
According to journalist and former Kaduna State Government spokesperson Reuben Buhari, seven of the victims were among residents kidnapped from Ariko village, while the eighth was a newborn baby delivered by a woman who was abducted from neighbouring Awon village.
The victims reportedly died after spending more than three months in captivity under harsh conditions, underscoring the persistent insecurity confronting communities across Southern Kaduna.
