Kaduna Under Siege: Atiku, Coalition Demand Justice Amidst Rising Fatalities as Tinubu Orders Manhunt

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which resulted in the killing of approximately 30 people, including women and children, and the burning of several houses. The attack occurred in the early hours of Monday. In a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the incident as a “barbaric and cowardly act of terror” and immediately directed security agencies to intensify operations to arrest those responsible, rescue abducted individuals, and restore normalcy to the region. He emphasized his administration's unwavering commitment to strengthening security infrastructure, equipping response personnel, and neutralizing criminal networks, while warning that those behind the attack would be brought to justice.

Condemnation for the heinous act has also come from other prominent figures and organizations. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Save Nigeria Group USA (SNG-USA), and the U.S.–Nigeria Civil Society Coalition have all called for urgent action to prevent further bloodshed. The latest attack, reportedly occurring late Sunday into early Monday, saw assailants storm the community shortly before midnight, catching residents off guard and resulting in the tragic deaths of entire families as they slept, before homes and businesses were razed.

The U.S.–Nigeria Civil Society Coalition alleged that suspected ‘Fulani militants’ were responsible, describing the attack as part of a recurring pattern of violence against agrarian and minority Christian communities in Southern Kaduna. The coalition highlighted persistent security lapses that leave vulnerable rural populations exposed, and it called on Nigerian security authorities to fulfill their constitutional mandate to protect all citizens, regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation. They also urged the United States government and Congress to intensify diplomatic pressure on Nigeria to improve community protection and appealed to international media and humanitarian organizations for sustained attention and emergency aid for displaced residents.

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), criticized what he called the federal government’s failure to fulfill its primary constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property. He labeled the massacre as heartbreaking and unacceptable, arguing that the government’s preoccupation with public relations overshadows the ongoing suffering of communities. Atiku stressed that Nigerians need security, not international commendations, and called for a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s security architecture, advocating for intelligence-driven operations, swift justice, and proactive measures to prevent future attacks. Both President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar extended their sympathies to the bereaved families and the government and people of Kaduna State, with Tinubu assuring federal government support in tackling insecurity, and urging residents to cooperate with security agencies by providing useful information.