Missing worshippers still in captivity, Kaduna community disputes Army’s rescue claim

Confusion and anger have trailed the Nigerian Army’s claim that it rescued some of the 31 abducted worshippers following a deadly Easter Sunday attack on a church in Kaduna State, as residents insist no such rescue took place.

The military had announced that troops repelled gunmen who stormed a church in Ariko during Easter celebrations, freeing dozens of captives in the process. It also put the death toll at five.

But on the ground, a different story is emerging.

Community leaders and residents say the abducted victims remain in the hands of their captors, casting doubt on the army’s version of events and deepening fears among families still awaiting news of their loved ones.

“As far as we are concerned, all the abducted victims are still with the bandits,” said Joseph Ariko, president of the Ariko community association, in an interview with the BBC.

He challenged the military to provide details of those allegedly rescued.

The army has yet to respond to the claims.
In its earlier statement, the military said soldiers engaged the attackers in a “fierce firefight,” forcing them to flee and abandon both hostages and the bodies of victims.

It also suggested the attackers suffered heavy casualties, citing blood trails along their escape routes.

However, residents told local media that the gunmen operated for an extended period without resistance—raising fresh questions about the speed and effectiveness of the military response.

Doubts over the rescue narrative were echoed by John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria, who said he found no evidence of any freed captives after speaking with locals.
“Nobody has been rescued… If they are rescued, where did they take them to?” he asked.
Beyond the conflicting accounts, the tragedy has once again spotlighted the persistent insecurity across northern Nigeria, where attacks on communities, mass abductions, and ransom demands have become disturbingly routine.
While the army says troops have been deployed to track down the attackers and reinforce security, residents remain sceptical, urging authorities to prioritise transparency and accountability.
In a separate development, security forces reportedly killed 65 bandits during an offensive in Zamfara State, according to AFP, just days after another mass abduction in the region triggered a manhunt.
Nigeria’s security crisis has also drawn international attention.

Under Donald Trump, the United States previously raised concerns about violence affecting Christian communities, although the Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of targeted religious persecution, maintaining that victims cut across faiths.

In February, US troops were deployed to Nigeria to support military training and intelligence sharing in the fight against insurgents and armed groups.

For residents of Ariko, however, the immediate concern is far more personal: the fate of those still missing—and the growing gap between official assurances and lived reality.

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

At least four people have been killed in Kebbi State while six residents were abducted in Sokoto State in separate attacks by armed gunmen, highlighting escalating insecurity in northwest Nigeria.

In Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, a terrorist group known as Mamudawa carried out coordinated raids on several villages in the Gebbe District on Sunday and Monday. Residents said the attackers crossed from Wawa Forest in Niger State to strike communities including Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara. Eyewitnesses reported that homes and buildings were set ablaze, with Kawara village reportedly completely burnt down.

A local resident, Yisa Ahmed, said, “Some buildings were set on fire, and people fled to the forests or to Gungu Island for safety.” The Vice Chairman of Shanga LGA, Adamu Hamza Gebbe, confirmed the attacks, noting that Shanga has repeatedly faced assaults from bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers. The District Head of Gebbe, Alhaji Haruna Usman, added that many residents remain displaced.

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The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants took advantage of the wetland terrain to launch their operations, resulting in lives lost and widespread property destruction. SP Bashir Usman, spokesperson for the command, emphasized that security forces are investigating and working to prevent further attacks.

Meanwhile, in Gazau village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, bandits abducted six residents during an early-morning raid on Monday. The attackers initially seized 13 individuals—12 women and one man—but later released seven, taking six hostages to a hideout. The victims were identified as Asabe Zakariya, Inno Ibrahim, Inno Musa, Umma Yusuf, Safina Abdullahi, and Saminu Jijji.

A relative of the victims revealed that the bandits threatened to continue daily attacks unless residents sought amnesty from them. Efforts to reach local authorities and police spokesperson were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Security analysts warn that these incidents reflect a persistent security crisis in rural northwest Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target communities for ransom, extortion, and terror. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to prevent further escalation.

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

Nigerian Troops Foil Fuel Smuggling, Arrest 16 Suspected Terrorists in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully intercepted a cross-border fuel smuggling attempt and arrested 16 suspected terrorists in ongoing operations across the North-East Theatre of Nigeria, the military has confirmed.

According to the Nigerian Army, soldiers from 3 Battalion (Mechanised), acting on intelligence, intercepted 19 jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and two carts along suspected smuggling routes in Gamboru/Ngala Local Government Area, Borno State, near the Nigeria–Cameroon border. The suspects reportedly fled, abandoning the illicit fuel before troops secured the area.

In a separate operation along the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road, troops apprehended 16 individuals who initially claimed to be members of hybrid forces. Searches of the suspects led to the seizure of ammunition, magazines, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, military kits, and multiple mobile phones, suggesting involvement in terrorist logistics.

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Troops also recovered a motorcycle previously stolen by terrorists during an attack in neighbouring Yobe State, highlighting efforts to deny insurgents freedom of movement.

Additionally, troops engaged insurgents in a brief firefight in Chibok Local Government Area, forcing the attackers to retreat without reported casualties among security forces.

All operations were conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, which involves sustained patrols, clearance missions, and aggressive offensive actions in Sectors 3 and 4 of the North-East Theatre. These missions aim to disrupt terrorist supply chains, dismantle criminal networks, and maintain pressure on insurgent elements.

Military authorities emphasised that the arrested suspects will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and prosecution. Commanders also urged local communities to continue providing credible intelligence to enhance operational effectiveness and civilian security.

The military described the recent operations as a significant blow to terrorist logistics, underscoring its commitment to protecting civilians, securing communities, and degrading the capabilities of insurgent groups in the North-East.

Nigerian Troops Foil Fuel Smuggling, Arrest 16 Suspected Terrorists in Borno