Seven people were killed and several others abducted when gunmen attacked two churches in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during Easter celebrations on Sunday. The assault occurred in the early hours at First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church. Armed men, suspected to be terrorists, descended on the community in large numbers, surrounded the area, and opened fire on worshippers. Mark Bawa, councillor for Awon Ward, confirmed the attack and said casualty figures were still unclear, with reports ranging between seven and eight dead. He said many others were taken into the bush and that poor telecommunications hindered immediate response. The attackers operated for an extended period without resistance. This is the second such incident in the area in less than two months, following a February 2026 abduction of worshippers in Kurmin Wali, also in Kachia. Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Mansir Hassan said he would release more information later.
The fact that attackers struck two churches in broad daylight during Easter—and escaped with abductees—exposes the fragile security grip in rural Kaduna. Mark Bawa's account of delayed response due to poor network coverage is not an excuse but a reflection of systemic neglect in critical infrastructure. If nothing changed after the February 2026 attack in Kurmin Wali, another massacre was not just possible—it was predictable. For residents of Kachia, worship now comes with the risk of death or abduction, and promises of updates from police offer no comfort.
