At least seven people have been killed and several others abducted after suspected terrorists attacked churches in the Ariko community of Kachia Local Government Area, Kaduna State, during Easter celebrations.
The assault, which occurred early Sunday morning, targeted worshippers gathered at the First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, throwing the community into panic.
Awon Ward councillor, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, stating that he was on his way to the area to verify the exact number of casualties.
“I’m heading to the community to confirm the figures. Some reports say seven people were killed, others suggest eight. I will provide an update once details are clear,” he said.
According to Bawa, the attackers arrived in large numbers, surrounded the community, and opened fire on worshippers before abducting several residents.
“The gunmen encircled the area and began shooting sporadically. Many people were killed, while others were taken into the bush,” he added.
Residents reported that the assailants operated for a prolonged period without resistance, raising fresh concerns over the security situation in rural parts of the state.
Bawa also blamed poor telecommunications coverage for the delayed response from security agencies, noting that the communication gap may have allowed the attackers to carry out the operation unhindered.
The attack comes less than two months after a similar incident in Kurmin Wali, also in Kachia LGA, where several worshippers were abducted during a church gathering in February 2026. The earlier attack had sparked outrage and renewed calls for improved security across communities in Southern Kaduna.
