Kaduna-based investigative journalist Luka Binniyat has criticized Governor Sani Uba for showing selective sympathy, pointing out that while Uba visited Jos after the mob killing of a Muslim woman, he has not reached out to the families of the 19 victims of the June 16 massacre in Unguwan Magaji, Kaduna.
In a statement obtained by Advocatus Africa titled “Kaduna: One State, Two Deals for Different Folks,” Biniyat lamented, “Whether every citizen of Kaduna State matters equally to the Governor, just as the unfortunate Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu.”
Recall that Ummulkhairi Usman Aliyu, a Muslim woman, mother, and teacher, was brutally murdered by a mob on June 14, 2026, in Maraban Jos, Plateau State.
The woman, reportedly from Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, “was wrongly accused of child kidnapping” before she met her untimely death.
Binniyat, a native of Zamando village, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, disclosed that she was killed “by an illiterate mob shocked the nation,” stressing that her killing should be “condemned by every right-thinking person.”
Although the journalist commended Governor Uba Sani for visiting Aliyu’s family, as widely reported in the media, he, however, observed that “I am not aware of the Kaduna State Government issuing any statement condemning the [Unguwan Magaji] attack or offering condolences to the grieving community, not to talk of visiting the community.”
According to him, “On June 16, 2026, two days after her heinous killing, nine Christians were murdered in Unguwan Magaji, Kamuru Ward, Chawai Chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna by suspected armed attackers. Among those killed were children aged four, five and six. The massacre made headlines across Nigeria and beyond for several days.”
9 Christians who were murdered in Unguwan Magaji, Kamuru Ward, Chawai Chiefdom, Kauru Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna on June 16, 2026.
He also disclosed that “At least 11 others were seriously injured and are still receiving treatment,” adding that, nonetheless, “Mum is the response of the government.”
The journalist also observed that “Yesterday, Saturday, June 27, 2026, the victims, who were ordinary, law-abiding citizens just like Ummulkhairi, were laid to rest in a single mass grave after a solemn Catholic funeral attended by a large crowd of mourners in the village
“From all available information, Governor Uba Sani neither attended the funeral nor sent a representative. I am also unaware of any assistance his government has offered to the bereaved families or the injured survivors.”
Families of victims left in shock, without a state visit or compensation.
He further questioned why neither the Kaduna State Governor nor the Chairman of Kaura Local Government Area put up an appearance at the funeral to honour the deceased.
“But it did not end there. Not a single elected representative of the area in either the National Assembly or the Kaduna State House of Assembly attended the burial or sent a representative, even though Senator Sunday Marshall Katung had earlier issued a statement condemning the genocidal crime.
“Even more glaring was the absence of the Chairman of Kauru Local Government Council. Based on these events, is it wrong for anyone to conclude that in Kaduna State today, there appears to be one standard for some citizens and another for others?,” he queried.
Editor’s Note: All courtesy are courtesy of Zariyi Yusuf Madaki.
