Amnesty International Nigeria has called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently intensify efforts to rescue 37 persons abducted by gunmen from Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning that the victims have now spent 104 days in captivity.
The rights organisation expressed concern that the abductees, most of whom are women and children, face grave risks, including torture, starvation, rape, amputation and other forms of abuse while in captivity.
The victims were kidnapped during an attack on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, when armed men invaded churches in Ariko village, killing at least seven people before abducting 37 others.
In a statement issued on Friday, Amnesty International said the prolonged captivity of the victims underscores the urgent need for Nigerian authorities to prioritise their rescue and ensure their safe return.
According to the organisation, relatives of those still in captivity told Amnesty International they feel abandoned by the government, citing the lack of information on efforts being made to secure the release of their loved ones.
“The people of Ariko deserve an answer—which is the safe return of their loved ones from the dehumanising custody of gunmen,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International also called for those responsible for the attack and abductions to be identified, arrested and prosecuted.
The organisation argued that the continued failure of the authorities to guarantee the security of citizens constitutes a breach of Nigeria’s human rights obligations under both the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which the country is a signatory.
The rights group urged the government to take decisive action to protect vulnerable communities, secure the release of the remaining captives and hold perpetrators accountable for the attack.
