Kafanchan, Kaduna State — The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan on Saturday conducted a mass burial for 27 of the 30 victims killed in the recent attack on Naridon village in Southern Kaduna, bringing renewed attention to the persistent insecurity affecting communities in the region.
According to available reports, the remaining three victims had been laid to rest earlier by their families before the mass funeral.
The tragic incident reportedly occurred at about 11:00 p.m. last Sunday, when heavily armed men, suspected to be terrorists, invaded Naridon, a predominantly farming community located along the border between Kaduna State and Ganawuri in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Witnesses said the attackers struck while residents were asleep, opening fire on villagers, setting houses ablaze, and causing widespread panic. At least 30 people, including children, were reportedly killed, while several others were abducted and remain unaccounted for.
The mass burial drew grieving families, clergy, community leaders, and sympathizers, who gathered to pay their final respects to the victims. The solemn ceremony underscored the devastating human cost of the violence and the trauma endured by affected communities.
Residents have called on the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to intensify efforts to rescue those abducted, apprehend the perpetrators, and strengthen security measures to prevent further attacks on vulnerable rural communities.
Reacting to the latest killings, some opposition voices argued that the repeated attacks on communities across the country point to a deeper governance crisis. They contended that the continued loss of lives despite repeated assurances from the Federal Government has moved beyond what they describe as “failure” and now raises serious questions about the government’s commitment and effectiveness in protecting citizens.
One opposition statement declared: “This is no longer mere failure but complicity of the Tinubu APC government.” The statement called for an independent investigation into the attack and urged the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to restore security and public confidence.
each day 100s of people get killed in Nigeria without consequences for those in positions of authority. Where does the hope of the masses lay?
