A group were thirty one worshippers were kidnapped during an Easter service in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area has dismissed reports that the abducted victims were rescued by the Nigerian Army, described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the victims remain in captivity.
The reaction followed earlier reports suggesting that troops had successfully freed worshippers kidnapped during a coordinated attack on two churches in the community on Easter Sunday,according to PUNCH.
The incident triggered widespread outrage and renewed concerns over insecurity in Southern Kaduna. However, the President of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association, J.D. Ariko, in a statement dated April 6, 2026, rejected claims that the victims had been rescued.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports alleging that the Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 31 persons abducted during the Easter service in Ariko. We wish to categorically state that this claim is entirely false and misleading,”the statement read.
According to the community leader, families of the victims are still in communication with the kidnappers, who have confirmed that the abducted worshippers are alive.
He said, “Families of the victims are still in contact with the abductors, who have reportedly confirmed that the victims are alive and currently held at their camp. This clearly invalidates any claim of a successful rescue operation.” The association expressed concern over what it described as the circulation of inaccurate reports about the incident.
