US Condemns Kaduna Massacre, Urges FG To Curb Middle Belt Attacks

The United States has condemned the early morning July 27 attack on a village in Kaduna State that reportedly claimed the lives of at least 30 people, including children.

The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Bureau of African Affairs through its official X account.

The U.S. expressed condolences to the families of those killed and urged the Nigerian government to take stronger measures to curb violence in the country’s Middle Belt.

“We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt,” the statement read.

The attack occurred in Naridon village, Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed men reportedly stormed the community shortly before midnight, opening fire on residents and setting homes ablaze.
According to the secretary to the village head, Dogon Rana, the gunmen shot indiscriminately and burned several houses during the raid. He said at least 30 people were killed, including eight children, while four others sustained injuries.

Another resident and youth leader, Ishaya Dawa, said the victims included women, children and elderly residents. He alleged that some villagers were slaughtered during the attack, while several bodies were taken to the mortuary.

“The victims are women, children and the elderly,” Dawa said, adding that the attackers set houses on fire before fleeing the community.

He further disclosed that security personnel arrived at the village hours after the attackers had left.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The latest incident underscores the worsening security situation across Nigeria’s northwest and north-central regions, where armed gangs and other criminal groups have continued to carry out deadly raids on rural communities.

Nigeria’s northeast is also battling a prolonged insurgency by Boko Haram and its splinter faction, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), although there is no indication that either group was involved in the Kaduna attack.

SOURCE: THEGUARDIAN