It was a sad days as victims of the recent Nasarawa killings were laid to rest in Kochum-Numa village of Akwanga local government area of Nasarawa State.
A total of 16 out of the 17 victims of the attack were committed to mother earth after the performance of Christian rites.
One of the deceased, believed to be a Muslim, was buried according to Islamic rites on Monday, a day after the mass killings.
The mass burial, which was held around noon after the deceased bodies were moved from the Akwanga General Hospital mortuary to the village for final internment, was a moment of grief for family members, relatives, friends and other sympathisers.
They wept profusely over the untimely departure of their loved ones.
No fewer than 17 persons were gruesomely massacred on Sunday night when suspected herdsmen opened fire on them in Kochum-Numa village in Akwanga local government area while they were holding a naming ceremony.
Several others, too, were wounded and are currently receiving treatment at different hospitals across the state.
Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura who visited the Chun Mada, His Royal Highness, Samson Gamu Yare, at his palace in Akwanga on Wednesday before he was led to the Akwanga General Hospital where most of the deceased bodies were being kept, sympathised with families of the victims and the entire Mada nation.
He pledged his administrationโs commitment to fishing out the perpetrators of the dastardly act within days.
Al-Makura, who was accompanied by his deputy, Silas Agara, some top government officials and security chiefs, pleaded with the affected people to remain calm while the law enforcement agencies carry out investigations and possible arrest of the culprits.
Speaking after the burial, the Chun Mada, HRH Gamu Yare, said the Mada nation has put off its annual cultural festival, the Nzeh Mada, billed to be held this week till further notice.
The monarch also directed his subjects to ensure that all social activities terminate by 6pm until nerves are calm and normalcy restored.
