KACHIA, Nigeria — A prominent community organization in Kaduna State, located in the northwestern region of Nigeria, has formally refuted claims that 31 individuals abducted during a church service have been liberated by the Nigerian Army. The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA) released a statement on Monday, April 6, 2026, describing the reports of a successful military rescue as inaccurate and deceptive.
The incident began on Easter Sunday when unidentified armed men, locally referred to as bandits, launched a coordinated assault on two separate Christian places of worship in the Ariko community within the Kachia Local Government Area. During the attack, several people were killed and a large number of worshippers were forcibly taken into the forest. This event has caused significant alarm regarding the safety of residents in the Southern Kaduna region.
Okay News reports that the President of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA), J.D. Ariko, clarified the situation to ensure the international community and local families have the correct information. He stated that despite previous media suggestions of a military intervention, every person taken during the Easter service remains in the custody of their captors.
This situation matters because the circulation of unverified rescue reports can inflict emotional distress on the families of the victims and undermine the credibility of official security updates. According to the association, the families have maintained a line of communication with the abductors. These captors have reportedly confirmed that the victims are still alive and are being held at a remote camp. J.D. Ariko noted that this direct contact proves that no rescue has taken place.
The affected community members and the families of the 31 worshippers are currently waiting for genuine intervention. The Kuturmi Unity Development Association (KUDA) has called upon the federal government of Nigeria and relevant security agencies to increase their efforts to secure an unconditional release for the captives. At this time, the Nigerian Army has not provided an official response to the community’s denial of the rescue.
