Amnesty International has confirmed that 37 people abducted during church services in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna, remain in captivity five months after the attack. The abductions occurred on April 5, 2026, when gunmen raided churches in the area during Easter Sunday worship. The human rights organisation described the ongoing captivity as part of a broader pattern of violence in southern Kaduna, marked by recurring attacks, abductions for ransom, and killings that have severely disrupted daily life.
Amnesty revealed that three of the 11 individuals taken from Awon community have died in captivity. Joy Samuel died on August 28 after giving birth in deplorable conditions; her newborn also did not survive. Yusuf Bawa, aged 34, and his five-year-old son died from severe illness and hunger. The group stated that those still held are subjected to repeated death threats, starvation, sexual violence, beatings, and dehumanising treatment. Amnesty attributed the prolonged captivity to the Nigerian authorities' failure to protect civilians.
The organisation urged the Nigerian government to fulfill its human rights obligations by intensifying efforts to secure the safe release of the 37 worshippers and all others held by armed groups across the country. It emphasized that the persistent insecurity in southern Kaduna has created a climate of fear, affecting farming, education, and social activities. Amnesty called for immediate action to address the crisis and end the cycle of violence.
The same government expected to rescue captives has not stopped the attacks enabling their abduction. When citizens cannot farm or worship without fear, the cost of inaction is measured in lives lost and futures erased. What remains unclear is how long families must wait before their loved ones are brought home.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion. All persons mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Full disclaimer →
