Amnesty International has raised fresh alarm over the continued captivity of 37 worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday church services in Southern Kaduna, calling on the Tinubu-led federal government to act urgently.
According to the human rights organization, the victims were taken on April 5, 2026 during raids on churches in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Southern Kaduna State.
"Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the 37 people abducted in raids on churches during Easter Sunday worship on 5 April 2026 are still in captivity," the group said in a statement published on Sunday night.
The organization described the incident as "one of many instances of the utter failure of Nigerian authorities to protect the people".
Deaths Reported In Captivity
Amnesty also reported that three of 11 people abducted from the neighboring Awon community have died in captivity within the past week.
The group stated that Joy Samuel died on August 28 after giving birth in what it called "deplorable conditions." Her infant also did not survive.
Separately, Yusuf Bawa, 34, and his 5-year-old son died as a result of severe illness and hunger while in captivity.
Amnesty said abductees are routinely threatened with death, starved, beaten, and subjected to other forms of dehumanizing treatment, with women and girls facing rape.
Amnesty’s Demand To Govt
The rights group called on the Nigerian government to meet its national and international human rights obligations by intensifying efforts to secure the safe release and return of the 37 worshippers abducted in Kachia, as well as all others still being held by armed groups across the country.
Community leaders in Kachia have also disputed earlier claims by the Army that 31 hostages were rescued, insisting that all the abducted persons remain in captivity.
Source: Amnesty International statement via Nigerian Observatory For Human Rights and The Sun Nigeria
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