The Regional Church Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Rev. Dachomo, has led a mass burial for 22 Christians killed during a deadly attack on Kawel community in Mushere District, Plateau State.
The attack occurred on June 21 when armed men reportedly invaded homes and a health centre in the community, killing residents that included health workers, patients receiving treatment, a retired military officer, and security personnel.
During the solemn burial ceremony, Rev. Dachomo joined grieving families, church members, and residents in paying their final respects to the victims. Images from the ceremony showed rows of freshly dug graves and bodies wrapped in cloth as the community mourned one of its deadliest recent attacks.
The Plateau State Police Command confirmed the incident, reporting that at least 20 people were killed, while security agencies launched operations to identify and apprehend those responsible for the violence.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang condemned the killings, describing the attack as unacceptable and ordering security agencies to intensify efforts to hunt down the perpetrators and prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.
The tragedy has renewed concerns over the persistent cycle of violence affecting parts of Plateau State, where communities have repeatedly suffered attacks linked to complex disputes involving criminal activities, competition over resources, and longstanding intercommunal tensions.
Residents and religious leaders have called on the government to move beyond condemnation by strengthening security presence, ensuring justice for victims, and providing lasting solutions to the recurring bloodshed.
The attack has once again highlighted the humanitarian cost of insecurity in rural communities, with families losing loved ones, homes destroyed, and survivors left to cope with trauma and uncertainty.
As investigations continue, many Nigerians have expressed solidarity with the people of Kawel and called for urgent actions to restore peace and protect lives across Plateau and other conflict-prone regions of the country.
