The Plateau State Government has conducted a mass burial for the 27 victims of the brutal July 15 attack on the Bindi community in Tahoss, Riyom Local Government Area (LGA), a chilling reminder of the insecurity that continues to plague Nigeria’s Middle Belt.
The victims, mostly farmers and villagers, were slain in a late-night assault by unidentified gunmen who not only took lives but also razed homes, destroyed farmlands, and carted away food supplies and property worth millions of naira.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, during a condolence visit to the devastated community, had earlier promised a “befitting burial” for the victims—a promise fulfilled in a solemn ceremony attended by community leaders, government officials, and religious figures. Yet, many residents say a dignified burial means little without justice.
Speaking at the burial, the Chairman of Riyom LGA, Mr. Sati Shuwa, expressed heartbreak over the persistent bloodshed in rural areas of the state. “We are gathered here in unspeakable grief to mourn 27 innocent souls, victims of a cruel and senseless act of violence,” he said.
Shuwa, visibly emotional, urged the federal government and security agencies to move beyond mere condolences and take urgent, proactive steps to halt what many now fear is a coordinated campaign of terror against vulnerable farming communities.
“To the bereaved families, no words can truly comfort you, but please know your pain is ours. Your loss is a wound in the heart of all Riyom people,” he said.
While he commended President Bola Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang for recent security efforts, many residents are asking tough questions: Why are the killers still at large? Where is justice? And how many more burials will follow before peace is restored?
The mass burial was attended by a mix of mourners, including government appointees, traditional rulers, and religious leaders—each bearing witness to the growing death toll of unchecked violence in Nigeria’s heartland.
