(DDM) – Tragedy struck Southern Kaduna again as seven victims of a terrorist attack were laid to rest in Unguwan Rimi village, Kauru Local Government Area, despite ongoing peace efforts by the state government.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the victims, mostly minors, were buried on Saturday in an emotional ceremony attended by family members, religious leaders, and local residents.
Community sources told SaharaReporters’ New York office via WhatsApp that the burial brought both grief and anger, as the killings occurred just days after the state celebrated progress in its peace pact with armed groups.
The attack, which took place last Sunday night into the early hours of Monday, left seven people dead while several adults managed to escape the heavily armed assailants.
In a related incident, bandits launched another strike on Kokob-Bajaga village in Kajuru Local Government Area last Tuesday, killing one person, injuring another, and abducting six villagers.
“The soldiers helped in evacuating the corpse, but we are in fear because of the uncertainty of our safety,” a community leader said, highlighting the fragile security situation.
Kaduna’s controversial peace pact
The Kaduna State Government recently unveiled what it described as the “Kaduna Model,” a bold peace initiative aimed at ending years of violence by engaging directly with notorious bandit leaders.
Figures like Yellow Jambros and Dogo Gide, long accused of mass killings, kidnappings, and extortion, were reportedly involved in negotiations.
Under the deal, around 200 fighters surrendered their weapons, with some enrolling in government-run rehabilitation and reintegration programs.
The initiative also promises rural development, disarmament, and restored access to roads like the once-dangerous Kaduna-Birnin Gwari highway, which has reopened to travellers.
Governor Uba Sani defended the program as a “carrot-and-stick” strategy, arguing that peace must be pursued from a position of strength while maintaining law enforcement readiness.
Yet critics remain sceptical, warning that negotiating with violent actors could embolden other groups and undermine justice for victims.
Christian leaders and other stakeholders have also questioned the lack of transparency in the process and the exclusion of communities who have suffered the most.
A fragile hope tested by violence
Despite signs of progress, last week’s killings underscore the volatility of the region and the challenges of sustaining peace.
Residents of Southern Kaduna now face an agonising question, can a pact with those once seen as warlords truly bring an end to years of bloodshed?
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