By Odita Sunday
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the deadly terrorist attack on Naridon Village in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning that those behind the massacre must not be allowed to undermine the state’s hard-earned peace, unity and reconciliation efforts.
The rights group called for an immediate reinforcement of security operations in Southern Kaduna to prevent further attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), who described the killing of innocent women, children and farmers as a barbaric act against humanity requiring a coordinated and uncompromising response from both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government.
HURIWA said the reported midnight invasion of the predominantly farming community, during which scores of residents were allegedly killed in their sleep, homes razed and several others abducted, underscored the determination of terrorists to destabilise communities, threaten national unity and undermine food security.
The association extended its condolences to the bereaved families, the people of Southern Kaduna and all Nigerians affected by the tragedy, while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and the safe rescue of victims reportedly abducted during the attack.
The rights organisation expressed concern that the renewed wave of terrorist attacks comes at a time Kaduna State has made significant progress in rebuilding trust, promoting reconciliation and fostering inclusive governance after years of political, ethnic and religious divisions.
It warned that irrespective of the identities or motives of the attackers, the violence must not be allowed to reverse the gains already recorded in restoring confidence among the diverse communities in the state.
HURIWA noted that the administration of Governor Uba Sani has consistently pursued governance anchored on inclusion, dialogue, fairness and equitable distribution of development projects across Kaduna State.
The association also commended Governor Uba Sani for nominating Mr. Jerry Adams, a Christian technocrat from Southern Kaduna, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, describing the decision as a demonstration of statesmanship and a practical affirmation of equal representation and inclusiveness.
According to HURIWA, the nomination sends a strong message that governance should unite rather than divide the people along ethnic and religious lines and reflects the governor’s commitment to justice, equity and fairness, which it described as essential ingredients for sustainable peace.
The association urged the Federal Government to reinforce military and intelligence operations in the affected communities by deploying additional surveillance assets and maintaining a sustained security presence across vulnerable areas of Southern Kaduna.
It also called on the Federal Government to understudy and adapt successful security strategies implemented in other parts of the country, including the coordinated security model credited with facilitating the rescue of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo State, to strengthen intelligence gathering, rapid response and hostage rescue operations in Southern Kaduna.
HURIWA insisted that every kidnapped resident must be rescued alive, while all terrorists responsible for the killings, as well as those financing, harbouring or aiding them, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The organisation further urged security agencies to adopt intelligence-driven operations rather than responding only after attacks occur, stressing that communities repeatedly targeted by terrorists deserve proactive protection through improved surveillance, community intelligence partnerships and sustained deployment of security personnel.
It also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and other stakeholders across Kaduna State to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or religious tensions in the aftermath of the attack, warning that terrorists often seek to provoke reprisals and deepen communal divisions.
HURIWA maintained that lasting peace in Kaduna State can only be achieved through inclusive governance, justice, equitable development and a robust security architecture capable of protecting every community, regardless of religion, ethnicity or geographical location, while pledging solidarity with the people of Southern Kaduna and urging the Federal Government to demonstrate that every Nigerian life is equally valuable and deserving of protection.
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