Residents in a community in Kaduna State have challenged claims by the Nigerian Army that 31 civilians were rescued following a deadly Easter Sunday attack on a church in Ariko.
The military had earlier announced that troops engaged gunmen in a “fierce firefight,” forcing them to flee and leaving behind hostages who were subsequently freed. Officials also stated that five civilians were killed during the national
However, community leaders strongly dispute this account. According to Joseph Ariko, president of the local community association, none of the abducted victims have returned. He insisted that, to their knowledge, all those taken during the nation remain in captivity and called on the army to provide proof or identify those allegedly rescued.
Doubts have also been raised by Christian Association of Nigeria, with Reverend John Hayab questioning the military’s statement after speaking directly with residents. He asked where the rescued individuals were taken, noting that no families had been reunited with victims.
Beyond the conflicting reports, the attack underscores the persistent insecurity in northern Nigeria. Armed groups—often referred to locally as bandits—frequently carry out kidnappings for ransom, targeting villages, highways, and places of worship.
While the army maintains that the attackers suffered heavy casualties and that operations are ongoing to track them down, locals claim the gunmen operated for an extended period without immediate resistance.
In a separate development, security forces reportedly killed dozens of bandits in an operation in Zamfara State, highlighting the broader military effort to combat armed groups across the region.
The incident has once again drawn attention to Nigeria’s security challenges, as communities continue to demand more effective protection and transparency from authorities in the face of repeated attacks.
