Troops Arrest Fulani Youth Leader Over Kauru T€rror Att∆ck That K!lled 30 in Kaduna Community

Troops Arrest Fulani Youth Leader Over Kauru Terror Attack That Killed 30 in Kaduna Community

Troops of Sector 7 under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a Fulani youth leader in connection with the recent terrorist attack on Naridon Community in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, a brutal assault that left at least 30 people dead, including women and eight children. The suspect, identified as Zakari Yahu Adamu, was apprehended on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, in Fadan Chawai, Kauru LGA, following intelligence-led investigations into the incident, according to security sources familiar with the operation.

Sources said Adamu, who serves as a Fulani youth leader in the area, is being investigated over his alleged involvement in the attack on Naridon Community, which occurred on the night of July 26, 2026. The assailants, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, stormed the village in Kamaru Ward, shooting indiscriminately, setting homes and shops ablaze, and operating for two to three hours without significant security intervention. Entire families were wiped out, with five siblings from the same family—Deborah, Friday, Yusuf, Yunana, and Irimiya Emmanuel—among the victims. Survivors of the attack had earlier raised concerns over the lack of immediate security response, despite military and police presence in nearby locations only a few kilometres away.

The suspect is currently in custody as investigators work to determine the extent of his alleged role and identify other individuals who may have been involved. Security sources added that the arrest is part of ongoing intelligence-driven operations by Operation Enduring Peace aimed at tracking down those responsible for violent attacks and improving security across affected communities in Kaduna State. The arrest of a youth leader from the Fulani community marks a significant development in the investigation, as it suggests that the military is now targeting not only the perpetrators of the attack but also those who may have facilitated it through intelligence or logistical support.

The Naridon attack was one of the deadliest in Southern Kaduna in recent memory, with the Kaduna State Government condemning the killings and directing security agencies to intensify operations to apprehend those responsible. Governor Uba Sani ordered the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to provide immediate relief and humanitarian assistance to affected families, while the Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU) called on the police to strengthen security across vulnerable communities. The attack also drew condemnation from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Amnesty International, with the latter describing it as one of the deadliest assaults on communities in Southern Kaduna in recent times.

However, the arrest of Adamu has also raised questions about the broader dynamics of the conflict in Southern Kaduna, where farmer-herder clashes have fueled cycles of violence and reprisal attacks. Residents of Naridon had earlier disputed the Kaduna State Government’s account that the village was located on the border with Plateau State, insisting that the attack was a targeted assault on their community. The government had pledged to collaborate with Plateau State authorities to strengthen border security, but residents accused the authorities of attempting to divert attention from the attack.

As the investigation continues, the military has intensified operations across Kaduna State, with troops conducting clearance operations and manhunts for suspects linked to the attack. The arrest of Zakari Yahu Adamu represents a significant step towards accountability for the Naridon massacre, but the families of the victims and the wider community are demanding justice and an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued Southern Kaduna for years. The military has urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to support ongoing operations, as the search for other suspects continues.