Christian Solidarity Worldwide Nigeria (CSWN) has disclosed that 17 worshippers abducted during attacks on churches in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, died in captivity, while four victims of a separate abduction in Awon village remain in the hands of their captors.
The organisation also raised concerns over continued killings, mass abductions, sexual violence and displacement in parts of Northern Nigeria, alleging that Christians accounted for about 99 per cent of victims in some affected communities.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Rev. Dr Yunusa Nmadu, disclosed this during a presentation at ECWA Goodnews Church, Kaduna, to mark the 2026 International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church.
Speaking on the theme, “Light in the Darkest Places”, Nmadu said insecurity in parts of Kaduna had become so severe that worshippers could no longer attend church services freely without fear of attack.
He recalled the April 5, 2026, attack on Ariko community, where gunmen reportedly invaded three churches during services, killing five people and abducting 37 others, mostly women and children.
According to him, 12 of the abductees escaped at different times, 17 died in captivity, while the remaining eight were released after spending five months with their captors.
Nmadu also cited the April 20 abduction in Awon village, Kachia LGA, where 11 people were kidnapped. He said one victim escaped, six died, while four remained in captivity after more than six months and were reportedly in critical condition.
He said the incidents highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities, whose residents continued to face repeated attacks despite appeals for improved security.
The CSWN chief executive further recalled the January 18 mass abduction at Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA, where 177 worshippers were reportedly kidnapped during services in three churches.
He said the victims regained their freedom after spending 18 days in captivity, adding that the incident had initially been denied by authorities before it was acknowledged following public advocacy.
Nmadu said the attacks had disrupted religious activities, spread fear among Christian communities and forced many families to abandon their homes for internally displaced persons’ camps.
He also expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of Leah Sharibu, who was abducted in February 2018.
Beyond the killings and kidnappings, he alleged that women and children in captivity were exposed to sexual violence, hunger and inadequate sanitation, with some survivors facing lasting physical and psychological consequences after their release.
Nmadu said CSWN had spent more than 17 years documenting violations of freedom of religion or belief in Nigeria, supporting victims and survivors, training human rights defenders and engaging government institutions.
“Behind every report and every statistic is a person: a widow, a child, a pastor, a family who has lost a home or a loved one. They are not numbers to us,” he said.
He urged churches to sustain prayers and advocacy for abducted persons, particularly those whose families had spent months or years seeking their release.
“We are one Church. One Family. If one bleeds, we all pray. Faith under fire still burns,” he said.
Discussion0