There was outpouring of emotions at Nimbo, Enugu State, on Friday as nine of the victims of the April 25 attack on the community by suspected herdsmen were buried.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the victims, all male, were buried in the community amidst tears by relatives and members of the public who thronged the funeral.
The women of the community were clad in black attires and marched round the venue of the event singing war and solemn songs while some cried and rolled on the ground.
In his tribute during the funeral mass, Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State assured the community that they must get justice.
“The death of our brothers cannot be in vain as we must do all within our lawful means to give them justice,” he said. “This has become necessary to prevent such occurrence anywhere in the country.”
The governor said five suspects arrested in Kogi State in connection with the killing must be made to face the law.
Mr. Ugwuanyi commended the Federal Government for steps taken so far to redress the situation.
He said the state government would continue to assist the families of the deceased in various ways.
Earlier in a homily, the Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Most Rev. Godfrey Onah, said the community was yet to recover from the incident.
“How often have we wished the whole thing was just a bad dream from which we would soon wake?
“As if to shake off any element of doubt, here we have the remains of some of our slain brothers lying before us,” he said.
Mr. Onah appealed to the government not to contemplate any laws that would deprive people of their farmlands and means of sustenance in order to provide grazing reserves.
NAN reports that the caskets were taken away for interment by their respective families at the end of the mass as some were buried previously on request.
The funeral was attended by Sen. Chukwuka Utazi representing Enugu North and some members of the state assembly led by the Speaker, Edward Ubosi.
Also in attendance were a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, the director general of Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, traditional rulers and members of the clergy.
(NAN)
