The Nigerian Army arrested a 48-year-old Fulani Muslim suspected of participating in an attack that killed at least 30 Christian residents of Naridon village in Kaduna state.  

Troops from Sector 3 of Operation Enduring Peace arrested Salihu Miakailu during an intelligence-led operation at his residence in Dutsen Kura village, Bassa Local Government Area of neighboring Plateau state. 

The troops conducted the operation at about 8 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, according to a military source. 

Miakailu remains in military custody while investigators examine his alleged connection to the July 26 attack on Naridon, a predominantly Christian community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area. 

“The suspect remains in military custody while investigators work to establish the full scope of his involvement and uncover any accomplices connected to the attack,” the military source said. 

A Night of Horrors 

Authorities have not publicly disclosed the evidence that led troops to Miakailu or announced formal charges against him. The investigation is expected to examine whether other individuals helped plan or carry out the assault. 

Armed assailants entered Naridon at around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, while many residents were sleeping. The attackers opened fire, entered homes, and set buildings on fire as families attempted to escape. 

Residents began recovering bodies from burned homes and other locations the following morning. 

Community representatives Ibrahim John and Mallam Katuka said residents had recovered at least 30 bodies. They warned that the number could increase as families continued searching for missing relatives. 

At least seven people suffered injuries and received treatment at an undisclosed hospital. Community leaders withheld the hospital’s location because of continuing security concerns. 

An eyewitness said the attackers forced their way into a church during the assault and sang a song mocking the congregation. 

“Bandits broke into the church, began singing a mockery song that the church has nobody,” the witness said. 

The eyewitness described armed men moving through the community while residents fled into surrounding areas. The attackers reportedly killed women and children inside their homes before setting some of the buildings on fire. 

A Slow Response 

Daniel Sunday, a resident of the area, alleged that Nigerian soldiers stationed less than five miles from Naridon did not intervene while the assault was underway. 

Sunday said the attackers moved from house to house without being confronted by security personnel. 

Another resident said soldiers entered Naridon only after the attackers had withdrawn. According to the resident, the soldiers remained briefly before leaving the community. 

Military authorities have not publicly responded to the residents’ allegations concerning the timing of the security response. 

The arrest of Miakailu forms part of security operations targeting suspects connected to attacks across Kaduna and Plateau states, according to the military source. 

Naridon lies in Southern Kaduna, within Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where Christian farming communities have reported repeated killings, kidnappings, destruction of homes, and attacks on places of worship. 

The Naridon killings occurred amid reports that eight people abducted from Ariko and Awon communities in Kachia Local Government Area had died after spending more than three months in captivity. 

Survivors of the Naridon attack have called on the Kaduna state government, Nigeria’s federal government, and security agencies to deploy additional personnel to the area, arrest those responsible, and protect residents attempting to return to their homes and farms. 

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