70 Days After Easter Attack, Abducted Worshippers Still In Captivity – Kaduna Community

The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA) has lamented the continued captivity of worshippers abducted during an Easter Sunday church service in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, saying 70 days after the incident, the victims are yet to regain their freedom.

The association also raised concerns over what it described as worsening insecurity and a humanitarian crisis in Kuturmi communities, disclosing that persistent attacks have displaced more than 100 communities.

In a statement jointly signed by its president, Dr Joseph Ariko, and publicity secretary, Hon. Manasseh Samuel, KUDA accused the government of neglecting affected communities and called for urgent intervention to rescue abductees and provide relief for displaced residents.

KUDA said families whose loved ones were abducted during the Easter Sunday attack in Ariko have continued to live in agony, with little evidence of coordinated efforts to secure their release.

The association disclosed that 11 residents kidnapped during an attack on the Awon community have also remained in captivity for more than 50 days, lamenting what it described as the silence surrounding the plight of the victims.

According to the statement, while public officials continue to make assurances, families of those abducted have been left to suffer in uncertainty and anguish.

It said many displaced families are battling hunger and disease. At the same time, children have dropped out of school, pregnant women lack access to healthcare and elderly persons are dying under harsh conditions.

“The silence surrounding these incidents is deeply disturbing and has created the impression that the lives of our people do not matter”.

The association questioned why citizens could remain in captivity for over 70 days and 50 days, respectively, without decisive action and why the suffering of thousands of displaced persons had failed to attract the urgency it deserved.

KUDA called on the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government, Kachia Local Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to secure the release of all abducted persons and deploy adequate security personnel to vulnerable communities.

The association further urged the government to commence construction of the approved Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Maraba Barga Junction in Awon to strengthen security in the area.