The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned the recent terrorist attack on Naridon in Kamaru ward of Kauru council area of Kaduna, warning that the perpetrators must not be allowed to undermine the state’s hard-earned progress toward peace, reconciliation and inclusive governance.

In a statement on Wednesday by its national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the rights group described the midnight assault, which reportedly claimed the lives of scores of women, children and farmers, as a barbaric act against humanity requiring an immediate and coordinated response from both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government.

According to HURIWA, the attackers allegedly invaded the predominantly farming community while residents were asleep, killing innocent people, setting homes ablaze and abducting several others.

It expressed condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Southern Kaduna, while praying for the speedy recovery of those injured and the safe return of those reportedly kidnapped during the attack.

HURIWA expressed concern that the renewed violence comes at a time when Kaduna has been making efforts to rebuild trust among its diverse ethnic and religious communities after years of political and communal tensions.

The group noted that those behind the attacks were seeking to reverse the fragile gains already recorded in restoring confidence across the state.

“The objective of terrorism is not merely to kill innocent people but also to destroy trust, create fear and fracture communities. Nigerians must deny terrorists that victory by remaining united and supporting lawful efforts to restore peace and security,” the statement said.

It noted that Governor Uba Sani’s administration has consistently promoted inclusive governance, dialogue and equitable distribution of development projects across Kaduna State, describing the approach as a departure from policies that previously deepened divisions.

HURIWA also praised the governor’s reported decision to nominate Jerry Adams, a Christian technocrat from Southern Kaduna, as his running mate for the 2027 governorship election, describing the move as a demonstration of fairness and inclusive leadership.

According to the group, the decision sends a strong signal that governance should unite rather than divide citizens along ethnic or religious lines.

“No amount of violence or intimidation should be allowed to frustrate ongoing efforts aimed at healing old wounds and consolidating peaceful coexistence among the various religious and ethnic communities in Kaduna State,” HURIWA stated.

The rights organisation urged the federal government to strengthen military and intelligence operations across vulnerable communities in Southern Kaduna by deploying additional surveillance assets and maintaining sustained security presence in areas prone to terrorist attacks.

It also called on security agencies to adopt proactive, intelligence-driven strategies instead of responding only after attacks have occurred. HURIWA recommended studying successful security models used in other parts of the country, including operations credited with the rescue of abducted schoolchildren in Oyo state, to improve intelligence gathering and rapid response capabilities.

HURIWA further insisted that every person abducted during the Naridon attack must be rescued alive and that all those responsible for the killings, including individuals financing or harbouring terrorists, should be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Beyond security measures, HURIWA appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and community stakeholders to resist attempts to inflame ethnic or religious tensions in the aftermath of the killings.

The group maintained that lasting peace in Kaduna could only be achieved through justice, equitable development, inclusive governance and a robust security architecture capable of protecting every community regardless of religion, ethnicity or geographical location.

Reaffirming its solidarity with the people of Southern Kaduna, HURIWA urged the federal government to demonstrate through decisive action that every Nigerian life is equally valuable and deserving of protection.