Thugs Abduct Mortician and Seal Morgue to Block Mass Burial of 23 Christians Massacred by Islamic Terrorists in Nigeria

Authorities Block Mass Burial for Christian Terror Victims in Benue State as Families Demand Justice

On March 5, 2026, armed Fulani militia fighters stormed the Christian farming communities of Mbachom in Yaav precinct and Mbaav in Mbadura precinct in Turan District, Kwande County, Benue State, Nigeria. At least 23 people were slaughtered in the raids.

In the days that followed, U.S. based missionary organizations donated caskets and resources for a planned mass burial to honor the dead. Families and community members gathered at the NKST Hospital mortuary in Jato Aka, where 13 of the victims' bodies were being held, preparing for a collective funeral.

But the burial never happened as planned. On March 12, thugs stormed the mortuary, abducted attendant MT Tiga, and sealed the facility to prevent families from collecting their loved ones' remains. The planned mass burial was forcibly shut down.

This barbaric act is not only inhumane but also an assault on the fundamental right of a community to mourn.

That statement came from the ruling APC party. Iorbee Ihagh, President General of Mdzough U Tiv Worldwide, called the disruption "very shameful," noting that mourners who had traveled from abroad were unable to attend.

Kwande Local Government Chairman Vitalis Terhile Neji defended blocking the burial, claiming the organizers "did not consider the volatility of the area" and calling a mass gathering "a death trap." Residents rejected this explanation outright, accusing authorities of silencing their grief.

Governor Hyacinth Alia described the initial killings as "senseless and barbaric." A visiting U.S. humanitarian, Alex Barbir, was present during the government's temporary ban on burials.

After days of anguish and standoff, families in Jato Aka finally held a mass burial on Thursday, March 19. The ceremony was marked by tears, grief, and barely contained fury. Among those mourning was the family of Chief Fabian Yaga, who lost loved ones in the attack.

Nigeria's Benue State Christians Denied Right to Bury Their Dead After Fulani Militia Massacre

Families were forced to bury their dead individually in quiet, scattered ceremonies before the mass burial was finally permitted. The disruption left the entire Turan District community reeling, with households thrown into grief and outrage at the apparent complicity of local authorities.

The Crusader's Opinion

Let this sink in. Christians were massacred in their own homes. Missionary organizations from America sent caskets so the dead could be buried with dignity. And what did the local authorities do? They sent thugs to abduct the mortician and seal the morgue. They literally prevented grieving families from burying their murdered loved ones. This is not governance. This is persecution layered on top of persecution. First they fail to protect you. Then they punish you for mourning. The world stays silent because the victims are Christians in Africa. If a church mob in the West blocked a Muslim funeral, it would be international headline news within the hour. Every single Christian who reads this should know the name Turan District, Kwande County. These are our brothers and sisters, and their blood cries out from the ground.

Take Action

• Donate to The Shepherd's Shield to support persecuted Christians in Nigeria and across Africa.
• Support Open Doors USA who monitor and assist the persecuted church in Nigeria, the most dangerous country for Christians.
• Give to Voice of the Martyrs who provide emergency aid, Bibles, and safe houses for Christians under attack.
• Contact the Nigerian Embassy in Washington DC at (202) 800 7201 and demand accountability for the ongoing massacre of Christians in Benue State.
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