Fear in Kaduna Community After Bandits Make Shocking Demand for Church Victims

Keep up with the latest news and be part of our weekly giveaways and airtime sharing; follow our WhatsApp channel for more updates. Click to Follow us

Residents of Ariko community in Kaduna State have appealed to the federal and state governments to urgently secure the release of 37 worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday attacks on churches in the area.

The bandits are reportedly demanding ₦1 billion from the affected community before releasing the kidnapped victims who have remained in captivity since Easter Sunday.

President of the Kuturmi Development Association, Joseph David Ariko, told ZINGTIE that the community could not afford the ₦1 billion ransom and 35 motorcycles allegedly demanded by the abductors.

According to him, the community’s only hope lies in government intervention and swift rescue operations for the victims.

Bandits invaded three churches in Ariko community during Easter Sunday services, killing five worshippers before abducting 37 others.

The victims, who were reportedly taken from St. Augustine Catholic Church, ECWA and Baptist churches, have now spent about 45 days in captivity, leaving families and residents in fear and uncertainty over their fate.

The President of the Kuturmi Development Association explained that the abductors have remained in regular contact with the community while insisting on their demands without reduction.

According to him, “They (bandits) called virtually every two days, demanding for N1bn and 35 motorcycles. They are not ready to reduce the amount of money they are demanding from the poor farmers, who in reality cannot afford to raise such amount of money.”

David lamented that the community lacks the financial capacity to meet the demands, adding that residents have no option but to depend on the government to rescue their loved ones.

He stressed that the community wants the government to intervene and rescue the victims because the demands made by the abductors are beyond what residents can afford.

According to him, the prolonged captivity has heightened fear across the community and disrupted normal social and economic activities in the area.

He further lamented that many residents now live in constant fear while affected families continue to battle emotional and financial hardship following the attacks.

Community leaders therefore urged security agencies to intensify efforts toward ensuring the safe release of the victims and restoring confidence among residents.

They also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders to assist the community and support efforts aimed at securing the release of the abducted worshippers.

Please don’t forget to “Allow the notification” so you will be the first to get our gist when we publish it. 
Drop your comment in the section below, and don’t forget to share the post.