KAURU LGA, KADUNA STATE – At least nine Christians, including four young children, were killed and 11 others injured after armed assailants attacked mourners gathered in Ungwan Magaji community, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, late Tuesday night.
According to local sources, the victims had assembled to mourn the death of a grandmother when the gunmen stormed the community at about 10 p.m., opening fire indiscriminately on those present.
The attack claimed the lives of several children and adults, while many others sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment.
The Deceased
The deceased have been identified as:
Esther Kefas, 5
Sunday Elkan, 5
Happy Friday, 6
Moses Daddy, 4
Daddy Ibrahim, 28
Jerry Doctor, 51
Danlami Magani, 49
Sunday Chibi, 53
Rita Abdullahi, 45
Community members and church leaders described the victims as innocent mourners who had gathered to comfort a bereaved family before the attackers struck. Survivors said the gunmen, suspected to be bandits, invaded the area, fired indiscriminately, and fled into a nearby forest before security personnel arrived.
Senator Sunday Katung, who represents Kaduna South Senatorial District in the National Assembly, condemned the killings and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible and improve protection for vulnerable communities.
The latest attack adds to the persistent security challenges facing southern Kaduna, where communities have repeatedly suffered deadly attacks, kidnappings, and displacement linked to armed criminal groups.
Church leaders, including representatives of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offered prayers for the victims and their families, and urged authorities to ensure those behind the attack are brought to justice.
As of the time of filing this report, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack, while security agencies had yet to issue an official statement confirming arrests or the motive behind the assault.
