Insecurity: Civil Society Groups Demand Urgent Rescue of Abducted Members of Ariko, Other Communities
- Rejects Persecution of Truth-Tellers
- Says families Waiting in Anguish for Loved ones taken by force
Our correspondent
The coalition, Civil Society for Good Governance and Accountability, urgently demands that the Federal and Kaduna State Governments rescue all abducted persons from Ariko, Zunturum, Kahir, Maro Kasuwa, and affected communities without delay.
The coalition also insists that the Nigerian Army urgently direct all resources toward the actual rescue and release of all victims.
In a statement signed by the House of Justice and 31 other groups and made available to journalists, the coalition also called for immediate efforts to ensure that all the people displaced from the 74 communities in Kachia are returned to their land.
The statement read in part said “We, the Civil Society for Good Governance and Accountability, rise with heavy hearts but unshaken resolve to address the ongoing tragedy in Kaduna State, a tragedy compounded not only by the incessant and systemic violence by armed terrorists, but by the dangerous complicity of state actors who have chosen denial, deception, and persecution over truth, justice, and the protection of innocent lives. We speak because lives are at stake.”
While urging the government to put in place appropriate measures to protect anyone who makes a “good faith report” on the security situation of their community, they however, demanded for the immediate lifting and “unconditional” suspension of the Speaker of the Kachia Local Government Legislative Council, Hon. Mark maintaining that his right as an elected official to speak on matters affecting his constituents must be respected.
“The Federal and Kaduna State Governments must activate their constitutional and international Responsibility to Protect obligations under Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and universal human rights standards with immediate, concrete, and measurable actions,” the statement said.
On what they described as “Facts of the Ariko attack,” the group said the attack on two houses of worship on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar is not merely a security failure but “a civilizational and eerily familiar affront” that demands the most urgent and honest response from every arm of government.
On what they labelled “the Nigerian Army’s false claim of rescue,” the groups maintained that the claim was inaccurate, adding that the inherent contradictions of the statement revealed “unfortunate efforts at propaganda” by the Army rather than a “plausible effort” at the rescue of the abducted and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“As of the time of this release, all abducted persons remain in captivity. The families of victims have maintained direct contact with the abductors, who have themselves confirmed that the victims are in their camps.
“The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA) issued a statement signed by its President, Dr. J.D. Ariko, and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Manasseh Samuel, on 6th April 2026, stating that:”Contrary to the reports being circulated, all the abducted persons are still in captivity with their abductors. This clearly invalidates any claim of a successful rescue operation,” they stated.
According to the Civil Society for Good Governance and Accountability, the false rescue claim in Ariko is not an isolated incident, recalling that on 18th January 2026, armed bandits abducted 177 worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA, during which the Police and the Kajuru LGA Chairman initially denied the attack that occurred.
“Only sustained public pressure forced an acknowledgment. The playbook remains unchanged: deny, deflect, discredit, and then concede only when the pressure becomes unbearable. This pattern must end. The people of Kaduna State are not statistics. They are human beings who deserve truth, dignity, and protection.”
They further stated that one of the most alarming dimensions of the crisis is the “active persecution and oppression” of victims and those who dare to speak the truth.
“The Honourable Speaker of the Kachia Local Government Legislative Council, Hon. Mark Bawa, gave a press interview published in the Punch Newspaper on 5th April 2026, addressing the reality of the Ariko attack.
“In response, the Executive Chairman, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari, issued a directive on 7th April 2026 suspending Hon. Mark Bawa indefinitely.
“We reject this suspension in the strongest possible terms. Suspending a lawmaker for speaking about a security incident that affects his own constituents makes him a double victim of tragedy and oppressive state actors. It is an assault on democracy and a blatant act of political intimidation that must be fully resisted. We call for the immediate, unconditional reinstatement of Hon. Mark Bawa to his office.
“We are also appalled by the revelation that 74 communities have been deserted due to insecurity, as reported by the Kachia Local Government chairman. This is a clear indictment of the state and federal governments.”
“The tragedy of Ariko does not stand alone. Across Kaduna State, families are waiting in anguish for loved ones taken by force.”
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