The councillor representing Awon Ward, which covers Ariko District, Mark Bawa, told Punch that the affected churches are First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church.
“I am currently on my way to the community to ascertain the exact number of casualties. Some sources said seven persons were killed, while others claimed eight. I will provide an update once details are confirmed,” Bawa said.
He added that poor telecommunications coverage in the area may have allowed the attackers to carry out the assault without immediate response.
“The attackers came in large numbers. They surrounded the area and began shooting sporadically at worshippers. Several people were killed, and many others were taken away into the bush,” he stated.
Residents said the assailants operated for a prolonged period without resistance, raising further concerns about the vulnerability of rural communities in the state.
The latest attack comes barely two months after a similar incident in the Kurmin Wali community, also in Kachia LGA, where scores of worshippers were abducted during a church gathering in February 2026.
When contacted, the Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said he would provide further details regarding the tragic incident.