By Joy Yesufu and Kamsi Anayo
Suspected terrorists have attacked the Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing at least seven people and abducting several others during Easter celebrations.
The early Sunday morning assault targeted two churches—First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, throwing the community into panic as worshippers gathered for prayers.
Eye witness confirmed the incident, noting that casualty figures remain uncertain. Some sources say seven, others eight.
Residents said , the attackers stormed the area in large numbers, surrounding the community and opening fire indiscriminately on worshippers before whisking several victims into nearby bushes.
They attributed the scale of the attack partly to poor telecommunications coverage, which may have delayed emergency response.
Residents said the assailants operated for an extended period without resistance, underscoring the vulnerability of rural communities in the area.
The latest incident comes barely two months after a similar attack in Kurmin Wali, also in Kachia LGA, where several worshippers were abducted during a church gathering in February.
DSP Mansir Hassan, Spokesman of the command on Sunday confirmed that security operatives have been deployed to the area to track the assailants and initiate rescue operations.
Security analysts say the recurring attacks highlight persistent threats facing communities in Southern Kaduna, particularly during religious gatherings and festive periods.
