PRESS STATEMENT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Issued by: Civil Society for Good Governance and Accountability
Date: 10th April, 2026
RE: THE ARIKO KILLINGS & ABDUCTIONS, ARMY & KACHIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT CHAIRMAN’S FALSE RESCUE CLAIMS AND THE URGENT DEMAND FOR SECURITY & ACCOUNTABILITY.
PREAMBLE
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.
FACTS OF THE ARIKO ATTACK.
On Easter Sunday, 5th April 2026, heavily armed terrorists launched a devastating attack on Ariko Community in Awon Ward, Kachia Local Government Area, storming the First ECWA Church and the Catholic Church while worshippers gathered in peaceful worship. Five people were killed in cold blood, and thirty-eight others were abducted. This attack on two houses of worship on one of the most sacred days of the Christian calendar is not merely a security failure; it is a civilizational and eerily familiar affront that demands the most urgent and honest response from every arm of government.
THE NIGERIAN ARMY’S FALSE CLAIM OF RESCUE.
In the immediate aftermath, the Nigerian Army issued a widely circulated statement claiming to have rescued 31 of the abducted victims. This claim was inaccurate. 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.”
THIS IS A PATTERN
The false rescue claim in Ariko is not an isolated incident. On 18th January 2026, armed bandits abducted 177 worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA. The Police and the Kajuru LGA Chairman initially denied the attack that occurred. Only sustained public pressure forced an acknowledgment. The playbook is unchanged: deny, deflect, discredit, then concede only when 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.
PERSECUTION OF TRUTH-TELLERS
One of the most alarming dimensions of this 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. The suspension letter alleges the Speaker “misrepresented the true position on ground” and failed to attend a meeting with the GOC of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division “to clarify and possibly apologize,” calling it “a deliberate attempt to sabotage the efforts of Government.”
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.
OTHER VICTIMS STILL IN CAPTIVITY
The tragedy of Ariko does not stand alone. Across Kaduna State, families are waiting in anguish for loved ones taken by force:
Zunturum, Kachia LGA: On 31st March 2026, bandits abducted 11 people. Terrorists are demanding a ransom of 150 million naira and 10 motorcycles. These 11 people have been in captivity for over a week with no rescue.
Kahir, Aribi Ward, Kagarko LGA: On Palm Sunday, 29th March 2026, terrorists killed 13 people in a night raid and abducted 28 others, demanding 200 million naira in ransom. These 28 people remain in captivity.
Maro Kasuwa: On Easter Sunday, bandits killed 3 people and abducted an unconfirmed number of residents.
These are not numbers. They are mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents whose safe return must be the single most urgent priority of every security agency in Kaduna State.
OUR DEMANDS
We make the following clear demands:
The Nigerian Army is called upon to immediately redirect all operational resources toward securing the actual rescue and release of all victims.
We demand that immediate efforts be initiated to ensure that all the people displaced from those 74 communities in Kachia are returned to their land.
The abducted persons from Ariko, Zunturum, Kahir, Maro Kasuwa, and all other affected communities must be rescued or secured for immediate release.
The suspension of Hon. Mark Bawa, Speaker of the Kachia LGA Legislative Council, must be lifted immediately and unconditionally. His right as an elected official to speak on matters affecting his constituents must be respected.
We demand that the government puts appropriate measures in place to protect from
reprisals anyone who makes a good faith report on the security situation of their community.
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.
CONCLUSION
The people of Ariko, Zunturum, Kahir, Maro Kasuwa, and every community in Kaduna State visited by violence deserve better. They deserve a government that tells the truth. They deserve security agencies that rescue. They deserve elected officials who stand with them, not officials who suspend and intimidate those who dare to speak.
We refuse to normalize the criminalization of truth-telling. We refuse to accept a reality in which criminals are rewarded for killings and abductions, the abducted are abandoned, the dead are undercounted, and the powerful face no consequence for their failures.
We will continue to demand that every captive returns home and every Nigerian works the free soil.
SIGN:
1. House of Justice
2. Alheri Magaji
3. Gloria Ballason Esq
4. Steven Kefas
5. George Makeri for The Coalition for Truth and Justice
6. Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation
7. Middle Belt Times
8. Middle Belt Concern
9. Luka Binniyat for Southern Kaduna Indigenous Progressive Forum (SKIPFo).
10. Molluma Yakubu Centre for Medical Law and Mass Atrocities Accountability
11. Professor Chidi Odinkalu
12. Zariyi Yusuf
13. Atrocities Watch Africa
14. Oasis Christian Mission International
15. The Crimes Prevention and Counselling Centre (CPCC)
16. Movement Against Rape in Nigeria (MARAN)
17. Surveyor Danjuma Enoch
18. Sesor Empowerment Foundation, there abeg
19. Resilient Aid & Dialogue Initiative (RADi)
20. Kuturmi Youth National Congress
21. Kuturmi Unity Development Association
22. Pastor Jerome Akyasa Waziri, Secretary, Southern Kaduna Renaissance Front
23. Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria
24. Southern Kaduna Women Professionals
25. ZB Foundation
26. Vayan Joseph
27. Rural Communities Right Watch
28. Joshua Peter Akunji
29. Eld. Dio Awemi Maisamari Former SOKAPU President
30. Mr. Livinus Paul (PRO I, Adara Youth Congress (AYC National)
31. Mr. Samson Pius Agunu (Secretary, Adara Youth Congress National)
