ICYMI: COCIN leader laments Southern Kaduna killings, seeks justice for 30 latest victims

Crime Diary

KADUNA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, has condemned the recent killing of 30 residents in Naridon Village, Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, describing the tragedy as another painful reminder of the worsening insecurity confronting communities in Southern Kaduna.

Dachomo, who has consistently called for greater international attention to what he describes as the ongoing persecution and killing of Christians in parts of Nigeria, made the remarks in a statement issued on August 2 following the mass burial of 27 of the victims.

According to him, three of those killed had been buried earlier, while the remaining 27 victims were laid to rest together in a mass burial attended by grieving families and members of the community.

“There are moments when words fail, when grief is too deep to describe. Today was one of those moments,” the cleric said.

He described the funeral as one of the darkest moments for the community, saying rows of coffins reflected not only lives lost but families and dreams abruptly cut short by violence.

“I woke up with a heavy heart. Instead of rejoicing in a new day, my thoughts were consumed by the heartbreaking images from yesterday as twenty-seven innocent souls were laid to rest together in Naridon Village, Southern Kaduna,” he said.

According to Dachomo, several families lost multiple relatives in the attack, forcing parents to bury their children, children to bury their parents and siblings to mourn one another.

“My heart aches beyond words. Twenty-seven caskets stood side by side, each one carrying a life that was precious to God. Some families stood before more than one coffin because they had lost several loved ones in the same attack,” he stated.

Quoting Psalm 34:18, which says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit,” the cleric said the attack had left an entire community traumatised.

He questioned how many more communities would have to experience similar tragedies before decisive action is taken.

“As I looked at those coffins, I could not help but ask how many more tears must be shed before the world pays attention. How many more villages must mourn? How many more innocent Christians must be buried together before their cries are heard?” he asked.

The cleric said the attack had transformed Naridon into another community where hope and aspirations had been buried alongside innocent lives.

“The sound of weeping replaced the laughter of families. Every coffin tells the story of a future stolen too soon,” he added.

Dachomo called on Christians around the world to remember the people of Naridon in prayers, particularly widows, orphans, elderly parents and other relatives left behind by the attack.

He urged the global Church to continue praying for peace, justice and healing for affected communities.

“Pray for the widows whose hearts have been shattered. Pray for the orphaned children who no longer have parents to hold them. Pray for the elderly who have buried their sons and daughters. Pray for a community trying to find hope in the middle of unimaginable sorrow,” he appealed.

In a separate reflection shared after the burial, the COCIN leader lamented what he described as the absence of senior government officials at the funeral, saying only the councillor representing Kamaru Ward attended the mass burial.

According to him, no governor, senator, member of parliament, commissioner or high-ranking government delegation was present to identify with the grieving families.

“Thirty lives were taken. Thirty human beings created in the image of God. Thirty stories cut short. Thirty families forever changed. Yet those in positions of authority did not consider it important enough to simply show up and mourn with their own people,” he said.

The cleric described the perceived absence of political leaders as an additional burden for bereaved families already struggling to cope with their loss.

“To bury your family is already unbearable. To feel abandoned by your own leaders while doing so is another wound altogether,” he added.

Citing Romans 12:15, which urges believers to “mourn with those who mourn,” Dachomo said public officials have both a moral and civic responsibility to stand with citizens during moments of tragedy.

He also referenced Genesis 4:10, saying the blood of innocent victims “continues to cry out from the ground,” while calling for justice for those killed.

The cleric urged Nigerians not to reduce the victims to mere statistics, stressing that they were fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, neighbours and friends whose lives were violently cut short.

He called for sustained prayers for Southern Kaduna and appealed for urgent measures to prevent further attacks on vulnerable communities.

“Please do not let these victims become just another statistic. Pray for the people of Southern Kaduna. Pray for the grieving families. Pray that justice will not remain silent forever, and that no family will have to gather around another mass grave simply because they chose to live in their ancestral homeland,” he said.

Dachomo concluded by praying for divine comfort for the bereaved families and for lasting peace and justice across the affected communities.