The Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Most Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi, has lamented the failure of authorities to protect innocent residents following the mass burial of 27 victims of last Sunday’s deadly attack on Naridon village in Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna state.
The solemn funeral, held on Saturday, brought together grieving families, Catholic priests, traditional leaders, community members and sympathisers, who paid their last respects to victims of one of the deadliest recent attacks in Southern Kaduna. Blueprint reports
Three other victims had been buried earlier, bringing the total number of those laid to rest to 30.
Addressing mourners during the burial, Bishop Kundi said the victims died needlessly, insisting that those charged with the responsibility of protecting lives and property had failed them.
The cleric said the decision to line up the coffins during the funeral was intentional, describing it as a painful reminder of the consequences of insecurity and the need for greater protection of vulnerable communities.
“I deliberately asked for the coffins to be lined up like this, so it will be evidence for us and all of Nigeria that we failed to protect them. They should not have died now,” the Bishop said.
He urged government and security agencies to take more decisive measures to end the persistent attacks on rural communities across Southern Kaduna.
Bishop Kundi expressed deep sympathy to families who lost loved ones, especially parents, who buried their children and breadwinners.
He prayed for God to grant the bereaved families the strength to bear the painful loss and called on residents not to lose hope despite the recurring attacks.
The emotional ceremony was marked by tears and prayers as mourners filed past the rows of coffins before the victims were committed to mother earth.
The victims were killed when suspected terrorists invaded Naridon, a farming community located in Kaduna at about 11 p.m. last Sunday.
Residents said the attackers opened fire indiscriminately on sleeping villagers, set several houses ablaze and abducted an unspecified number of people before fleeing.
The attack forced many survivors to flee the community for safety, while several homes and properties were destroyed.
The latest violence has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in communities along the Kaduna-Plateau border, where residents have repeatedly suffered deadly attacks, kidnappings and destruction of farmlands.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the killings, describing the attack as heinous, unacceptable and a direct assault on the nation’s peace and security.
The President directed security agencies to immediately apprehend those responsible and ensure they face justice.
He also extended his condolences to the Kaduna State Government, the people of Kauru Local Government Area and families of the victims, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to restoring peace in the affected communities.
Community leaders and residents have renewed calls on both the Federal Government and Kaduna State Government to strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities and prevent further attacks.
They also appealed for intensified military operations against criminal groups operating around the Kaduna-Plateau border and urged authorities to facilitate the safe return of those still missing or abducted.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to announce any arrests in connection with the attack, while efforts to rescue those abducted were still ongoing.
The Naridon attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents that have continued to raise concerns over the security of rural communities in Southern Kaduna, where residents have repeatedly called for stronger protection and lasting measures to end the cycle of violence. (Blueprint)
