Bandits responsible for the abduction of residents in Ariko community, located in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have demanded a ransom of N1 billion for the victims’ freedom.
The attack occurred on Easter Sunday, turning what should have been a sacred and peaceful occasion into a day of violence and sorrow. Several residents lost their lives during the incident, leaving the community in deep mourning and widespread fear.
Leaders of the Concerned Ariko Youths, Linus Audu and Kefas Likita, condemned the attack in a statement issued on Monday. They described the event as a heartbreaking assault on innocent people observing a solemn period.
According to the statement, those abducted include some of the most vulnerable members of the community—elderly individuals, women, children, and entire households.
“Among those abducted are two elderly blind men, two women whose husbands were killed during the attack alongside their children, several young children, two critically ill women, and entire families.”
The situation has since escalated into a humanitarian crisis. Families are grappling with trauma, grief, and uncertainty about the fate of their loved ones. The ransom demand has only added to their distress, as residents insist it is completely beyond their means.
Community members say it is unrealistic and deeply unfair to expect families already dealing with loss and hardship to raise such an enormous sum. The incident, they noted, reflects a broader pattern of insecurity that has plagued Southern Kaduna, where rural communities frequently face attacks involving kidnappings and killings.
In many cases, families have had to rely on collective contributions from neighbors and well-wishers to secure the release of abducted relatives, even as economic conditions continue to worsen.
The group is calling for urgent intervention. They appealed to Kachia Local Government officials to work closely with security agencies and provide immediate relief to affected families. They also urged the Kaduna State Government to strengthen security presence in the area and ensure the safe rescue of those abducted.
At the national level, they called on the Federal Government to intensify its response to banditry and restore safety in vulnerable communities.
“We urge swift, transparent, and effective action to rescue the abducted victims unconditionally and bring the perpetrators to justice. Continued delay will only deepen the suffering of affected families and erode public confidence.”
As at the time of this report, there has been no official statement from security agencies regarding the incident.
