The United States has condemned the killing of at least 30 people in a deadly attack on Naridon Village in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urging the Nigerian government to take stronger action against violence targeting Christians in the country’s Middle Belt.

In a statement posted on Saturday via its Facebook handle, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of African Affairs expressed condolences to the families of the victims and called on Nigerian authorities to address what it described as “rampant violence against Christians” in the region.

“The United States condemns the early morning July 27 attack on a village in Nigeria’s Kaduna State that reportedly killed at least 30 people, including children. We express our deepest condolences to the loved ones of the deceased. We will continue to urge the Government of Nigeria to address rampant violence against Christians in the Middle Belt,” the statement read.

The U.S. reaction followed the attack on Naridon Village, where no fewer than 30 residents, including women and children, were reportedly killed after armed assailants stormed the community on Sunday night.

The attack also left several houses razed, forcing survivors to flee while others searched through the ruins for missing relatives and salvaged belongings.

Community sources, Ibrahim John and Mallam Katuka, confirmed the incident, saying the attackers invaded the village and unleashed hours of violence that claimed dozens of lives.

Photographs from the affected community showed widespread destruction, with several residential buildings burnt to the ground during the assault.

The latest attack has heightened concerns over the persistent insecurity in Southern Kaduna, where communities have repeatedly suffered deadly attacks despite ongoing security operations.