President Bola Tinubu yesterday condemned and ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators of the deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Council Area of Kaduna State, describing the attack as a “barbaric and cowardly” act of terror against innocent civilians.

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Monday, claimed the lives of about 30 residents, including women and children, with many others injured while several homes were set ablaze.

Still on terrorism, no fewer than 16 persons have been killed in renewed attacks on communities in Benue State by suspected armed herdsmen, with several others sustaining serious injuries in separate incursions across Otukpo and Kwande Local Council Areas.

In the attacks, which occurred between Monday and yesterday, the assailants also carted away motorcycles from the fleeing farmers.

The deadliest assault occurred yesterday, when the attackers reportedly stormed the Efeyi community in the Ugboju District of Otukpo council area at about 4 am, killing no fewer than 14 people and leaving many others with gunshot wounds.

A local source said the death toll could rise as several residents remained missing while search and rescue efforts continued.

The Chairman of Otukpo council, Mr Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, saying that 14 bodies had so far been recovered, while many injured victims were receiving treatment. He added that the victims were attacked without any provocation.

In Sokoto State, the police command said yesterday that its operatives rescued 32 kidnap victims after bandits killed four persons during an attack in Maikujera Village in Rabah Local Council Area of the state.

In a statement, the command’s spokesman, Ahmad Rufai, said the incident occurred at about 8:30 a.m. yesterday. He explained that the division received a distress call about a large contingent of armed bandits operating around Maikujera, a remote hamlet bordering Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Rufai said the police immediately mobilised available tactical and other security teams to block positions along the exit routes from the village. He added that the bandits abandoned their hostages and rustled animals after a fierce gun duel and escaped into the forest.

According to him, security operatives further rescued six adult males and 26 females from the bush after the incident. Unfortunately, four persons were killed by the bandits during the initial attack before the security operatives arrived.

In another development, five people have been killed, several others injured and a traditional ruler abducted, while hundreds of residents have been forced to abandon their homes following a renewed attack on several communities in Lau Local Council Area of Taraba State by susspected bandits.

WORRIED at the latest wave of deadly attacks in Zamfara and Kaduna states, however, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday stressed the need to intensify security operations irrespective of the recent international recognition of Nigeria’s progress in the fight against terrorism and insecurity.

Reacting to the Southern Kaduna incident, President Tinubu vowed that those responsible would be tracked down and brought to justice, insisting that criminal elements would not be allowed to undermine the peace and the recent improved security in Kaduna State.

“I have directed the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and relevant intelligence agencies to intensify operations across the affected areas to swiftly apprehend the perpetrators, secure the release of the abducted persons and restore normalcy to the community,” he said.

Tinubu also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the nation’s security architecture through improved operational capacity, better-equipped security personnel and sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks threatening national peace.

He further urged residents of the affected communities to support security agencies with timely and credible intelligence to enhance rapid response and prevent further attacks.

Extending his condolences to the families of those killed, as well as Governor Uba Sani, the Kaduna State Government and the entire people of the state, the president assured them of the federal government’s resolve to end the wave of violence and restore lasting peace.

In the meantime, the affected Taraba communities, including Kunini, Jimlari, Garin-Magaji, Donnada and Garin-Dogo, have witnessed a surge in violent attacks and kidnappings, with residents saying that the armed groups have continued to operate freely in the area.

Sources confirmed that the traditional ruler of Garin-Magaji, Jauro Tace, was abducted at gunpoint by the assailants but was later released after a ransom was paid.

However, investigations revealed that five persons were killed in separate attacks between June 30 and July 27, 2026, with most of the incidents linked to failed or attempted kidnap operations.

In the light of President Donald Trump’s praise for President Bola Tinubu’s tackling of Nigeria’s insecurity and violent extremism, NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, told The Guardian in an interview that the Zamfara attack was evidence that insecurity had become entrenched due to the government’s failure to act decisively.

Questioning Trump’s assessment of Nigeria’s security situation, Jiddere insisted that there had been “no improvement whatsoever,” with the conditions rather deteriorating.

“People can say whatever they like, but the reality on the ground is different. Everybody knows there has been no improvement whatsoever in the area of security in Nigeria,” he added. “Things are deteriorating every day, and people are completely tired of insecurity.”

He wondered why the attackers are seldom apprehended despite being well known, stating that the government has failed to show sufficient commitment to protecting lives.

According to him, “this has become almost a permanent thing in this country because the government has not done enough. These attackers know that the government will probably do nothing, so they have a field day.

“Everything that is happening is due to the failure of the authorities to tackle insecurity. If the government had declared a state of emergency on security and put in place all the necessary measures, as we have been recommending, this would have dramatically reduced. But as it is, insecurity in Nigeria is now being treated as if it were normal.”

While acknowledging the efforts by northern governors to coordinate regional security responses, Jiddere said the responsibility for the military, police, Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies rests with the federal government.