for Nine Southern Kaduna Attack Victims, Five Children Among Dead — Irigwe Nation Conducts Mass Burial

On Saturday, the 'Irigwe Nation' community laid to rest nine individuals who tragically lost their lives during an assault on Angwan Magaji in Kamaru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna. This solemn mass burial followed the violent incident that occurred on June 16, 2026. The Irigwe people, an ethnic group predominantly found in Plateau State's Bassa LGA and certain areas of Southern Kaduna, are recognized for their Rigwe language, unique cultural practices, and distinct marriage traditions. Among the nine fatalities were five children and one woman, with numerous other residents sustaining varying degrees of injuries from the bandit attack.

The burial ceremony saw a gathering of grieving families, local residents, religious figures, and well-wishers, all present to bid farewell to the deceased. The event was characterized by fervent prayers, an outpouring of tears, and urgent pleas for an immediate cessation to the ongoing violence plaguing communities across Southern Kaduna and other areas of Central Nigeria. Leaders within the community characterized the recent assault as a continuation of what they perceive to be a deliberate and sustained campaign of violence perpetrated by armed groups. They expressed profound sorrow that such attacks have afflicted the region for over two decades, further alleging a disturbing pattern where perpetrators seldom face apprehension or prosecution.

During the emotional burial rites, those in mourning voiced deep frustration regarding what they termed the Nigerian government's inadequate efforts to ensure accountability for the perpetrators. They posited that the pervasive culture of impunity only serves to embolden attackers, leading to more incidents. The June 16 attack on Angwan Magaji, where gunmen invaded the settlement, claimed nine lives, and left several injured, had previously garnered widespread condemnation. The somber occasion concluded with renewed calls directed at both the federal and Kaduna State governments, alongside various security agencies, to enhance security measures for defenseless communities, ensure that those responsible for the murders face justice, and implement concrete actions to avert future fatalities.

SaharaReporters had previously detailed the incident last week, confirming a death toll of at least nine and 11 injuries after an assault by suspected terrorists on Angwan Magaji community in Southern Kaduna. Joseph Yonkpa, spokesperson for the Irigwe Youth Movement, confirmed that the assailants launched their attack late on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Initial casualty figures were incomplete, but subsequent search and rescue efforts uncovered seven more bodies, bringing the total number of deceased to nine.

Sources within the community informed SaharaReporters that the attackers employed firearms during the raid and also reportedly assaulted some children with machetes, leaving the surviving residents deeply traumatized. The fatalities included both adults and children, highlighting the profound and tragic impact the incident had on the community. The names of those who perished were confirmed as Jerry Doctor, Danlami Magani, Sunday Chibi, Rita Abdullahi, Sunday Elkan, Esther Kefas, Happy Friday, Moses Daddy, and Daddy Ibrahim. The injured individuals were identified as Halla Monday, Mary Yohanna, Jummai John, Charity Danjuma, Faith Yakubu, Omi Yakubu, Ali Sandiye, Asabe Victor, Srarina Simon, Talatu Sunday, and ThankGod Danladi.

Local residents articulated their sorrow and indignation regarding the persistent violence in Southern Kaduna and the perceived lack of adequate media coverage these incidents often receive. They lamented that, despite the magnitude of such tragedies, assaults on vulnerable communities in the area are often scarcely reported, fostering a sense of abandonment among victims and survivors. Consequently, community members urged the media, civil society organizations, and appropriate government bodies to devote more focus to the dire situation of communities enduring repeated attacks and significant loss of life.