The United States has condemned the deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where at least 30 people, including children, were reportedly killed by armed gunmen.
In a statement issued on Saturday through its Bureau of African Affairs, the U.S. government expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called on the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu to take stronger action against what it described as “rampant violence against Christians” in the country’s Middle Belt.
The attack occurred in the early hours of July 27, when heavily armed assailants reportedly invaded Naridon Village under the cover of darkness. Residents said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately before setting several houses ablaze, leaving extensive destruction in the community.
Women, children and elderly residents were among those killed, while several others sustained injuries during the assault.
Community leaders said the massacre has heightened fears over the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna, renewing calls for urgent government intervention to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further attacks.
Reacting to the incident, the U.S. Bureau of African Affairs wrote on X:
“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. We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt.”
The latest remarks from Washington come amid growing international concern over persistent insecurity across Nigeria’s North and Middle Belt regions, where communities have for years faced deadly attacks involving bandits, armed groups and communal conflicts often linked to disputes over land, ethnicity and religion.
The Kaduna massacre has further intensified concerns about the country’s deteriorating security situation and the government’s ability to safeguard lives and property.
The United States has repeatedly urged Nigerian authorities to strengthen civilian protection, improve security measures and ensure that those responsible for attacks and killings are arrested and prosecuted, warning that continued insecurity poses a serious threat to national stability and human rights.
