Armed bandits who abducted multiple residents of Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State are demanding one billion naira in ransom for their release, according to local youth leaders.
The abductions occurred on Easter Sunday during an attack that left several residents dead and the community in mourning. In a statement issued Monday, Linus Audu and Kefas Likita, chairman and secretary of the Concerned Ariko Youths, described the incident as a “tragic assault on innocent worshippers during a solemn period of reflection.”
The statement detailed that victims include two elderly blind men, women whose husbands were killed during the attack alongside their children, numerous young children, two critically ill women, and entire families. The youth leaders emphasized that the N1 billion ransom demand is “outrageous and impossible for the rural community to meet,” noting that expecting devastated families to raise such an amount is neither reasonable nor humane.
The incident has created a humanitarian crisis in Ariko, with families traumatized and uncertain about their loved ones’ fate. Local residents have historically relied on communal efforts and contributions to secure the release of abducted relatives, a burden that has intensified amid worsening economic conditions.
The Concerned Ariko Youths characterized this attack as part of a troubling pattern of insecurity in Southern Kaduna, where rural communities have repeatedly faced attacks by armed groups engaging in kidnapping and killings. They called on Kachia Local Government authorities to urgently collaborate with security agencies and provide immediate support to affected families.
The group also appealed to the Kaduna State Government to deploy adequate security measures for the safe rescue of victims and urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts in tackling banditry across the country. “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,” the statement concluded.
As of publication, security agencies had not issued an official response to the incident. The abduction highlights the ongoing security challenges facing rural communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region, where banditry and communal violence have displaced thousands and disrupted livelihoods.
