Easter: Seven Killed, Several Abducted as Terrorists Attack Kaduna Churches
At least seven persons have been killed and several others abducted after terrorists attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State during Easter celebrations.
The attack occurred in the early hours of Sunday, throwing the community into panic as heavily armed gunmen invaded the area in large numbers and targeted two Christian worship centres.
The affected churches were identified as First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, both located in Ariko.
Confirming the incident, the councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, said the attackers stormed the community and opened fire on worshippers.
He said, “I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties.
“Some sources said seven persons were killed, while others claimed eight.
“I will provide an update once details are confirmed.”
Bawa explained that poor telecommunications network in the area may have worsened the situation, as it delayed any immediate response during the attack.
According to him, the assailants surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically, killing several people and abducting many others into the bush.
He said, “The attackers came in large numbers.
“They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers.
“Several people were killed, while many others were taken away into the bush.”
Residents said the gunmen operated for a long period without any resistance, heightening concerns over the security of rural communities in the area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Police Command had not issued any official statement on the incident.
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.
