Soldiers Stationed 2 Miles Away Ignored Calls for Help
By Luka Binniyat
(Kaduna) –The church faithful buried their martyrs on Saturday in Kaduna’s flyover country – unnoticed and unattended by the ruling class.
Christian farmers of Naridon in Kamuru Ward, Kauru Local Government Area (LGA) of Southern Kaduna buried 30 slain relatives on August 1, 2026, after a sombre ceremony that was completely shunned by government officials, elected representatives and even traditional leaders, TruthNigeria has learned. The territory is equidistant from two urban centers: Kaduna city to the West and Jos to the East.
TruthNigeria had earlier reported that Naridon, a farming community of about 80 homes with an estimated population of 1,500, was invaded shortly after midnight on July 27, 2026, by armed men believed to be members of the Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM). The attackers killed 30 people, including women and children.
Shortly after the attack, both the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government issued statements condemning the massacre, ordering the arrest of the killers and directing that relief materials be provided to survivors. After a week, no criminals were arrested and no relief parcels are in sight, TruthNigerian has learned.
Curious Boycott of Burial Ceremony
Stephen Kefas of the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa (ORFA), who attended the burial, told TruthNigeria that he was shocked by the absence of representatives of the Federal Government, the Kaduna State Government and even the Chairman of Kauru LGA.
“The only semblance of a government official was the councillor representing Kamuru Ward,” he said. “Even then, it was only because the community is his constituency.”
The Catholic priest overseeing St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Naridon, Rev. Fr. Mark Bissan, confirmed the account in a telephone interview with TruthNigeria on Monday, August 3, 2026.
“The truth is that the Kaduna State Government did not send any representative. We did not see anyone.
Government’s False Narrative and Fake Directives
The government had issued a press statement saying the perpetrators should be apprehended and that the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) should provide relief materials to the survivors.
“But I can confirm that nothing of the sort has reached Naridon.
“In fact, the residents had deserted the community and were starving in the places where they had taken refuge. It was Stephen Kefas who sent money, which I used to buy food from a nearby market and deliver to them.
“Again, the Kaduna State Government claimed that Naridon shares a border with Plateau State, making it appear that the attack was linked to a boundary dispute. That is not correct. Naridon is at least seven miles from the Plateau State border. Several communities separate us,” he said.
He added that the senator, the member of the House of Representatives and the Kaduna State House of Assembly member representing the area all stayed away from the burial despite being adequately informed.
“You won’t believe that even the traditional ruler of this area did not attend the funeral service.
“But what worries us even more was the absence of the Chairman of the Local Government Area.
“That is exactly what happened when I buried nine of my parishioners who were murdered by the same Fulani attackers on June 16, 2026. They neither came nor sent any message of condolence,” he said.
Naridon is about two miles west of Unguwan Magaji in Kamuru Ikulu Ward.
According to Fr. Bissan, but for the intervention of kind-hearted individuals and some Christian non-governmental organisations, the displaced residents would have gone hungry.
Message of Strength and Comfort
“But we were comforted and strengthened by the homily delivered by the Catholic Bishop of Kafanchan Diocese, Most Rev. Julius Kundi,” he said.
“He told us to wake up and defend ourselves, assuring us that God would stand by us.
“He discouraged us from taking the law into our own hands, but said we have a legitimate right to defend ourselves and protect our ancestral land,” he added.
Conspiracy Between Soldiers and Fulani Militia
“The truth is that there seems to be a kind of conspiracy between the military stationed around this area and the Fulani,” Fr. Bissan alleged.
“When the killing started around midnight, I received phone calls from terrified residents. I contacted the military, whose base is only about two miles from Naridon. But even after 2:00 a.m., no assistance came to the community,” he said.
“The impunity of the Fulani has been unbelievable.
“They have made three attempts to kill me, but by the grace of God, I escaped.
“I no longer live in the parish house in Kamuru Ikulu. I now live in Kafanchan and only come here to celebrate Mass,” he said.
“If you report any Fulani who commits a crime against you, you may end up being arrested yourself.”
Arrested Killer Fulani Now Roaming Free
Another source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, claimed that the attackers were well-known Fulani terrorists.
“After the last killings in Unguwan Magaji, some of them were arrested and taken to the police. But to our surprise, they were released, and we have continued to see them around,” he said.
“Even those arrested over kidnapping allegations hardly spend a month in detention before returning to intimidate us.
“They graze their cattle on our farms, and you dare not complain. If you report them, you only waste your time and expose yourself to their anger.
“They feel completely safe here. So we do not know how much longer we can endure this,” he said.
Civilians Want Us To Implement Jungle Justice
The spokesman of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zakhom, could not be reached for comment on the allegations against troops stationed in Kauru LGA. However, an officer familiar with the matter, who requested anonymity, rejected the accusations.
“The problem with civilians is that when they report someone to us, they expect us to go and simply shoot the person,” he said.
“What they are saying is not true. If we had not been stationed here, no village in this area would still be standing,” he added.
“In the past year alone, we have lost two soldiers and had five others seriously wounded while confronting these criminals,” he said.
Luka Binniyat is a conflict reporter for TruthNigeria.
