US condemns Kaduna attack, urges FG to tackle Middle Belt violence

The United States has strongly condemned a recent attack on a village in Nigeria's Kaduna State, which resulted in the deaths of at least 30 people, including children. The State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs expressed deep condolences to the victims' families and reiterated calls for the Nigerian government to confront the persistent violence targeting Christians in the Middle Belt.

The assault, which occurred late Sunday night in Naridon village, Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area, saw gunmen attack residents indiscriminately and set fire to homes and shops. While US officials stated the attack happened in the early morning of July 27, local accounts place the incident around 11 p.m. on Sunday. The village's Secretary confirmed 30 deaths, including eight children, with four others in critical condition. One family reportedly lost five children in the attack.

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The United States condemns the early morning July 27 attack on a village in Nigeria’s Kaduna State that reportedly killed at least 30 people, including children. We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased.

Residents described the attack as lasting about three hours, with no intervention from nearby security operatives. The Secretary to the Village Head of Naridon, Dogon Rana, stated that 22 members of the Rana family alone were killed. Governor Uba Sani condemned the killings and ordered security agencies to pursue the perpetrators, also directing the state emergency management agency to provide aid to affected families. Political figures, including the PDP governorship candidate and the ADC presidential candidate, criticized the Federal Government's failure to protect citizens and called for security reforms.

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We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt.