Easter Sunday Terrorist Attack In Kaduna Churches Kills Seven

[Abdulrahmon Mubarak Olayinka]

Tragedy struck the Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, when terrorists attacked two churches and killed several worshippers. The attack happened early in the morning while Christians were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The incident caused fear and sadness among residents as innocent people were targeted during a religious gathering.

The terrorists attacked First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church, shooting at worshippers and creating panic in the community. Many people were injured during the attack, while others were abducted and taken into the bush by the attackers. Worshippers who came to celebrate Easter ended up running for their lives.

The Councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident and explained that the attackers came in large numbers and surrounded the churches before opening fire. According to him, at least seven people were confirmed dead, although some reports mentioned eight casualties. He also stated that he was going to the community to confirm the exact number of victims and gather more details.

Residents of the area complained that the attackers operated for a long time without any resistance from security agencies. Many people blamed poor telecommunication networks in the rural community, which made it difficult to call for help quickly. This delay allowed the terrorists to carry out their attack and escape without immediate intervention.

Community leaders in Southern Kaduna expressed serious concern over the weak security presence in rural areas. They warned that many villages remain vulnerable to terrorist attacks and called on the government to improve security and protect religious gatherings. They also urged authorities to strengthen communication systems and deploy more security personnel to prevent future tragedies.

Efforts to get an official response from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the police spokesperson, Mansir Hassan, did not respond to calls about the incident or the condition of the abducted victims. The attack adds to the growing security challenges in Kaduna, especially after a similar church kidnapping incident in Kurmin Wali community in February 2026, raising fresh concerns about safety in the region.

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