KADUNA, Nigeria — Islamic extremists killed at least 30 Christians, including eight children, in an overnight assault on the village of Naridon in Nigeria’s Kaduna state, with local officials warning that the Christian population faces demographic erasure if the attacks continue.
Gunmen entered Naridon late on a Sunday evening and continued their assault into the early hours of Monday, opening fire on residents inside their homes and setting buildings ablaze as families fled into nearby fields and bush. Rt. Hon. Stephen Hajara, spokesperson for the Kauru Local Government Legislative Council and councilor representing Kamaru ward in Southern Kaduna, said the killings demand immediate intervention.
“Every month, we bury our people,” Hajara told International Christian Concern. “Last month, we buried 11 people, including children; now, another mass burial of 30. Enough is enough, please! Please come to our aid!”
Hajara appealed directly to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani to deploy more security personnel to rural communities in Kamaru ward. She also called on U.S. President Donald Trump and the international Christian community to act.
“If these killings continue, the Christian population will keep shrinking,” she said. “A day may come when terrorists wipe out Christian communities from this area.”
Daniel Sunday, a community resident, alleged that soldiers stationed less than five miles from Naridon failed to respond while the attack continued. Security personnel reportedly reached the village hours after the attackers had left. Community sources Ibrahim John and Mallam Katuka said search teams continued to recover bodies from homes, farms, and surrounding bush areas, warning that the death toll could rise because several residents remained missing.
Some community members described the attackers as suspected Fulani ethnic militants, though no group had claimed responsibility and Nigerian authorities had not publicly identified the assailants. Amnesty International condemned the attack and reported that assailants pursued residents who attempted to escape into the bush, with recovery teams still finding bodies in homes and nearby farmland.
Governor Uba Sani condemned the killings and directed security agencies to intensify operations to find the attackers. He instructed the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency to provide immediate relief to affected families. The Kaduna State Government said it would work with the Plateau State Government and security agencies to strengthen security along the Kaduna-Plateau border, near which Naridon lies, close to Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau state.
The Naridon massacre followed an assault in Kamaru Ward on June 16 in which suspected gunmen killed nine people, including four children, and injured 11 others in Ungwan Magaji community. Residents had requested additional security and humanitarian support after that attack.
“We need protection, humanitarian aid, and international support,” Hajara said. “The people of Kauru cannot continue to bury their families every month.”
Authorities had not announced any arrests connected to the Naridon killings. Search, recovery, and burial preparations remained underway.