Our Reporter, Abuja
A coalition of civil society organisations has accused security agencies and local authorities of misinformation and inaction following a series of deadly attacks and abductions in Kaduna State, calling for urgent intervention and accountability.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the groups under the banner of Civil Society for Good Governance and Accountability, decried what they described as a worsening security crisis, citing the recent attack on Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area as emblematic of systemic failures.
According to the statement, heavily armed assailants stormed Ariko on Easter Sunday, April 5, attacking worshippers at both the First ECWA Church and a Catholic Church. The assault left five people dead and 38 others abducted.
The coalition disputed claims by the Nigerian Army that 31 of the abducted victims had been rescued, describing the announcement as false and misleading.
“As of today, all abducted persons remain in captivity,” the statement said, adding that families of the victims have reportedly maintained contact with the abductors, who confirmed the victims are still being held.
The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), in a separate statement referenced by the coalition, also dismissed the Army’s rescue claim, insisting that none of the abductees had been freed.
The civil society groups alleged that the Ariko incident reflects a broader pattern of denial by authorities. They cited a January 18 attack in Kurmin Wali, Kajuru Local Government Area, where 177 worshippers were abducted, noting that officials initially denied the incident before later acknowledging it under public pressure.
Persecution of truth-tellers
Beyond the violence, the coalition raised concerns over what it termed the “persecution of truth-tellers,” pointing to the suspension of the Speaker of the Kachia Legislative Council, Hon. Mark Bawa.
Bawa was suspended by the Kachia Local Government Chairman, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari, shortly after he granted a media interview confirming the Ariko attack. The chairman accused him of misrepresenting facts and failing to attend an official security meeting.
The coalition condemned the suspension as “an assault on democracy” and demanded Bawa’s immediate reinstatement, arguing that elected officials should not be punished for speaking on security issues affecting their constituents.
The statement also highlighted the broader humanitarian toll of insecurity in the state, citing reports that at least 74 communities in Kachia LGA have been deserted due to persistent attacks.
It further detailed other recent incidents, including the abduction of 11 people in Zunturum on March 31, the killing of 13 people and abduction of 28 others in Kahir, Kagarko LGA, on March 29, and another deadly raid in Maro Kasuwa on Easter Sunday.
“These are not numbers. They are mothers, fathers, children, and grandparents,” the coalition said, urging security agencies to prioritise the safe return of all victims.
The groups called on the Nigerian Army to intensify rescue operations and urged federal and state governments to fulfil their constitutional responsibility to protect citizens.
They also demanded measures to safeguard individuals who report security incidents from reprisals, warning against what they described as a growing trend of intimidation.
“The people of Kaduna State deserve a government that tells the truth and security agencies that act decisively,” the statement added.
The coalition reaffirmed its commitment to continued advocacy until all abducted persons are freed and accountability is ensured.
Signatories to the statement include:
1. @HOJusticeIntl
2. @alheribee
3. @GMabeiam
4. @SKefason
5. @GeorgeMakeri for The Coalition for Truth and Justice
6. Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation
7. @MiddlebeltTimes
8. Middle Belt Concern
9. @Kindusluka for Southern Kaduna Indigenous Progressive Forum (SKIPFo).
10. @M_MedicoLegal, Molluma Yakubu Centre for Medical Law and Mass Atrocities Accountability
11. @ChidiOdinkalu
12. @ZariyiYusufu
13. Atrocities Watch Africa
14. Oasis Christian Mission International
15. The Crimes Prevention and Counselling Centre (CPCC)
16. Movement Against Rape in Nigeria (MARAN)
17. Surveyor Danjuma Enoch
18. Sesor Empowerment Foundation there abeg
19. Resilient Aid & Dialogue Initiative (RADi)
20. Kuturmi Youth National Congress
21. Kuturmi Unity Development Association, KUDA
22. Pastor Jerome Akyasa Waziri, Secretary, Southern Kaduna Renaissance Front
23. Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria
24. Southern Kaduna Women Professionals
25. ZB Foundation
26. @Villageboii
27. Rural Communities Right Watch
28. Joshua Peter Akunji
29. Eld. Dio Awemi Maisamari Former SOKAPU President
30. Mr. Livinus Paul (PRO I, Adara Youth Congress (AYC National)
31. Mr. Samson Pius Agunu (Secretary, Adara Youth Congress National)
