Kaduna Community Association Denies Military Rescue Claims Regarding 31 Abducted Church Worshippers

Kuturmi Unity Development Association confirms 31 abducted Ariko worshippers remain in captivity despite reports of a Nigerian Army rescue.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 6, 2026, 10:16 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Naija News

The Disputed Liberation of Captured Parishioners

The Kuturmi Unity Development Association has officially rejected widespread reports asserting that the Nigerian Army successfully freed 31 individuals taken from the Ariko community. These worshippers were seized during a coordinated assault on two separate Christian centers in the Kachia Local Government Area during Easter Sunday services. While initial accounts suggested a military intervention had restored their freedom, local representatives insist that these reports are entirely devoid of truth, noting that the victims are still being held by their captors.

A Community Confronts Conflicting Accounts

According to J.D. Ariko, the President of the association, the circulation of misleading rescue claims has created a dangerous environment of confusion and false hope for the grieving families involved. The community leadership issued a formal statement on April 6, 2026, to set the record straight and prevent the further spread of inaccurate information that could jeopardize public trust. The group emphasized that any suggestion of a successful military operation at this stage is invalid and contradicts the ground reality facing the residents of Southern Kaduna.

Direct Communication Channels with the Abductors

The persistence of the abduction is supported by the fact that families of the missing worshippers remain in active contact with the criminal elements responsible for the raid. These kidnappers have reportedly provided confirmation that the victims are currently being held alive within a remote camp, according to details shared by the development association. This ongoing dialogue between the families and the bandits serves as definitive evidence that no rescue has taken place, leaving the community in a state of high anxiety as they await a genuine resolution.