Armed men stormed the Narido community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday morning, July 27, 2026, killing more than 30 people, including women and children. The attack has drawn strong condemnation from the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), which called for immediate and proactive security measures.
Details of the Attack
According to an open letter dated July 27, 2026, addressed to the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and copied to Governor Uba Sani, SOKAPU confirmed the death toll and described the assault as a fresh wave of violence targeting rural communities in the region. The union's National President, Engr. Samuel Tabara Kato, made the letter available to the press.
Mr Dogon Rana, Secretary to the Village Head of Naridon, reported that the attackers struck while some residents were still conducting evening activities and others had retired for the night. The sudden assault left many families in mourning and heightened fears of further attacks.
SOKAPU Demands Proactive Security Response
Beyond the Narido incident, SOKAPU raised broader concerns about what it termed a worsening cycle of killings, kidnappings, and destruction of farmlands across Southern Kaduna. The union specifically pointed to Kajuru, Chikun, Kauru, and Zangon Kataf local government areas as hotspots where communities have suffered repeated violence.
In the letter, SOKAPU emphasized: "The current incidents of violence demand a sharp departure from reactive responses to aggressive and proactive law enforcement." The group acknowledged existing police efforts but stressed that rural communities continue to bear the brunt of attacks from armed groups operating in remote, forested settlements. Many families have been forced from their ancestral homes, and farmers are unable to work their land without fear.
Key Demands Made to Police Command
SOKAPU listed several specific steps it wants the police command to take without delay:
- Deploy mobile police and counter-terrorism units to high-risk communities.
- Strengthen patrols around farming areas to protect livelihoods.
- Launch intelligence-led operations to locate and dismantle criminal hideouts before further attacks occur.
- Improve communication channels between security forces and affected communities to ensure faster response to distress calls.
The union argued that these measures would help restore public confidence in the authorities.
Previous Attacks in Kaduna
The Narido attack is part of a troubling pattern. In a separate incident, bandits raided farmlands outside Kakangi village in Birnin Gwari district, shooting farmers as they worked. A UN-prepared security report confirmed nine bodies were recovered, while a local community leader put the death toll at 10 and said several others were kidnapped. The attack was reportedly carried out as revenge after farmers killed a bandit during a failed robbery attempt earlier that day.
Furthermore, at least seven soldiers and a lieutenant were killed during a rescue mission in Kaduna state. The terrorists attacked them on Monday, June 8, 2026, in communities along the Kaduna River between Chikun and Igabi local government areas. This recent uptick in bandit attacks highlights ongoing security challenges in northern Nigeria.
