An injury for one they say is an injury for all. Therefore, I tell you, we wipe for our brothers, Sisters, wives and children today from the General hospital Akwanga to Kochu, during the mass burial of the sixteen people killed. This mindless attack was unprovoked.
By Salisu Yahaya Dantala
Mada people are known to be peace loving people who accommodate visitors, regardless of tribe or religion. The land has been enjoying peaceful coexistence for decades now, not until the rampage of the highest degree that visited the land on the 14th April, 2019, at a village called Kochu, under Ninghaan District of Akwanga Local Government of Nasarawa State. Whereby some unknown gun men, suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, who invaded and attacked the village in the night, during a naming ceremony.
The Gun men (Suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen) came in numbers from the riverside behind the venue of the event and start shooting sporadically killing Sixteen (16) people at the spot with four others who were serious matched and sustained bullet injuries. Today, one of the injured persons gave up, making a total number of Seventeen (17) corps.
Last three weeks it was the village of Mante and Nidan where the same gun men, still suspected to be Fulani herdsmen, attacked the villages, although no live was lost, if not for the girl that was attacked and raped who later died. But they launched mayhem on the villages, setting the houses and their farm products ablaze.
All the sympathizers gathered at Akwanga General Hospital where the corps was taken for the burial.
All road lead to Kochu (Numa village) under Ninghaan District, in Akwanga Local Government Area. At the General Hospital Akwanga, all the sixteen coffins/caskets were lined up before the take-off. The pastors and reverends in session, gave a special burial sons and prayers.
The organizer/coordinator of the burial session Mr. Awo Rishama Iliya Reni took time to give a word of counseling to both the deceased relations, sympathizer to be law abiding, during and after the burial. According to him, God who created us; is fully aware of the killing therefore, revenge is for God; not for us. He went further to say “ we are expecting different personalities from various places therefore, he plead with every aggrieved person not to make any alterations, or inciting statement either during or after the burial
The video below, captured his speech at the hospital.
Indeed, as we move in convoy to the village by the road side, stand the sympathizers as they keep counting the casket, they sing chorus of sorrow while crying. It takes only a man with strong heart to control his tears.
At the village, we recognized the presents of The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency Silas Ali Agara, Dr. Chief John Michael Abdul (Former Deputy Governor, Nasarawa State), The Chairman Akwanga LGA; Hon. Samuel Mishi, The Chun Mada, HRH Samson Gamu Yare, The Chun Ngah, HRH Alh. Yusuf Amwe, Hon. Peter Mbochu, (Member representing Akwanga North together with, the Member elect, Hon. Tsentse Nehemiah Dandaura, The Deputy Chairman, Akwanga LGA Alh. Safiyanu Isah, The Nzeh Mada Festival Secretariat and group were fully in attendance, from the hospital to the village. The State Commissioner of police, Security personnel and a lot of sympathizers.
The environment was under a tied security, surrounded with both Police and well armed land Army. The vigilante were not left out, who mount strategic places up to the end of the burial session. From the Deputy Governor to the Royal Fathers and the Reverends in attendance expressed words of condolence and comfort. They urged the community and the entire sympathizer to be prayerful and remain calm. A team of military men were assigned to keep a strong surveillance within the villages, for some months.
The remains of the victims are interred today according to Christian writ, one who is a Muslem from Andaha, has since been buried according to Islamic writ at Andaha. Therefore, may God grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest and comfort. To their families, the Lord is their strength. Amen.
SALISU YAHAYA DANTALA
Nzeh Mada Festival Secretariat Media Advocate
