Senior military commanders have visited Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area, Kaduna State, following a deadly attack by suspected gunmen that left at least 25 people dead and several others injured.
The delegation, led by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Wase, alongside the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace, Major General Maxwell Dangana, visited the affected community to assess the security situation and sympathize with victims.
The visit, which took place on Tuesday, July 28, began with a security briefing at Sector 7 Headquarters in Kafanchan, where the commanders received an update from the Sector Commander before proceeding to Naridon Village.
At the community’s primary school, the military chiefs met with the Chairman of Kauru Local Government Council, traditional rulers, youth leaders, and grieving residents to obtain firsthand accounts of the attack and reassure them of the military’s commitment to restoring peace.
According to reports, heavily armed gunmen invaded the village at about 12:30 a.m. on Monday, opening fire on residents who were asleep. The attackers reportedly burned houses, looted food items, and forced terrified villagers to flee into nearby bushes.
While initial reports circulating on social media claimed that 30 people were killed, local authorities have confirmed at least 25 fatalities, with the casualty figure expected to change as rescue efforts continue.
Speaking to community members during the visit, Major General Dangana expressed condolences to the affected families and assured residents that security agencies were intensifying efforts to track down those responsible for the attack.
He urged community members to work closely with security agencies by providing timely and credible intelligence, stressing that effective security operations depend largely on information from the public.
“We are committed to ensuring that those behind this heinous attack are brought to justice,” he said, while encouraging residents to remain united and report suspicious activities without fear.
Chairman of Kauru Local Government Council, Bashir Tanko Dawaki, commended the military leadership for their prompt visit and concern for the affected community. He appealed to youths to support security agencies by sharing useful intelligence and warned against shielding criminal elements based on ethnic or religious affiliations.
Dawaki also disclosed that the Kaduna State Government was making arrangements to provide relief materials to displaced families in the coming days.
Youth leader, Ishaya Dawa, recounted that the attackers invaded the community shortly before midnight on Sunday and continued the assault into the early hours of Monday. He described the attack as unprovoked, noting that Naridon had enjoyed relative peace before the incident.
According to him, about 30 people, mostly women and children, were killed, while seven others sustained injuries. He added that several homes and properties were destroyed, leaving many families displaced.
The latest attack has renewed concerns over the persistent insecurity in Kauru Local Government Area, one of the areas in Southern Kaduna that has experienced repeated attacks on rural communities in recent months. Security agencies have assured residents that efforts are underway to strengthen security presence and prevent further attacks. Journalists who accompanied the military delegation also observed the difficult terrain leading to Naridon Village, with the journey taking nearly two hours from the nearest tarred road. The poor state of the access road underscores the logistical challenges faced by residents, emergency responders, and security personnel in reaching the remote community, particularly during emergencies.
