- Outrage As Bandits Demand ₦1bn Ransom For Kaduna Abductees
- Victims include elderly, women, children and entire families
- Community urges urgent government action for rescue
Bandits who attacked Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Easter Sunday have demanded ₦1 billion ransom for the release of residents abducted during the assault.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Concerned Ariko Youths described the incident as a deadly attack on worshippers during a period of reflection.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the statement was signed by the group’s Chairman, Linus Audu, and Secretary, Kefas Likita.
According to the group, those abducted include vulnerable members of the community such as two elderly blind men, women, children and entire families.
“In the course of what should have been a solemn period of worship and reflection, armed bandits invaded our community, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and the abduction of several residents,” the statement read.
“Among those kidnapped 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 comprising husbands, wives, and their children.”
The group said the attack has created a humanitarian crisis, leaving families traumatised and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones. It added that the ₦1 billion ransom demanded by the abductors is beyond the reach of the rural community.
“The situation is further worsened by the demand of an outrageous ransom of one billion naira, an amount far beyond the reach of this community. It is neither reasonable nor humane to expect affected families, already devastated by loss and trauma, to meet such a demand,” the statement added.
The youths stressed that the continued captivity of the victims violates their fundamental human rights, including the right to life and dignity.
They called on the Kachia Local Government Authority to work with security agencies to secure the victims’ release and urged the state government to deploy more security personnel to the area.
“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 said.
