Mass funeral held for 27 Christians killed in Kaduna attack

A mass funeral was held on Saturday, August 1, for 27 Christians killed in a deadly attack on Naridon village in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The solemn service, conducted by the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, the Rev. Julius Yakubu Kundi, brought together thousands of mourners, including pastors and members from various Christian denominations, in a show of solidarity.

The attack occurred in the farming community in Kauru Local Government Area late on Sunday, July 26. According to local accounts, suspected militants invaded the village around midnight, opening fire indiscriminately on residents, setting homes ablaze, and abducting an unspecified number of people. The violence lasted for nearly two hours, leaving many injured and displacing several families. With three other victims buried earlier in the week, the total number of people laid to rest reached 30. Community members identified many of the deceased, who included women and children, with a three-year-old among the youngest victims.

During the funeral homily, Bishop Kundi condemned the killings as an act of criminality, not a reprisal or boundary conflict. He stated that the decision to line up the coffins was a...