‘All victims still in captivity’ — community debunks Army’s rescue story

A community development association in Kaduna State has flatly rejected the Nigerian Army’s claim that troops rescued 31 worshippers abducted during an Easter Sunday attack, insisting that all victims remain in captivity and that their families are in active contact with the kidnappers.

The Kuturmi Unity Development Association, in a statement signed by its President, Dr J D Ariko, and Publicity Secretary Hon. Manasseh Samuel, described the Army’s account as “entirely false, misleading, and not reflecting the current situation.”

Gunmen had on Sunday stormed a branch of the Evangelical Church Winning All in Arikon community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during an Easter service, killing five worshippers and abducting several others. Those killed were identified as Tanko Haruna, Waziri Agunu, Aminu Soba, Joseph Audu and Adamu Jatau.

Among those abducted were Garba Tanko, his wife Lami Garba, their daughter Rachel Garba and a grandchild, Moses Yakubu; Rahab Usman and his daughter Victoria Rahab; Sunday Ayuba; Dantani Alhaji, his wife Mary Dantani and their three daughters — Helen, Rejoice and Ahmadu.

The Nigerian Army had said its troops, responding to a distress call, engaged the attackers in a gun battle and that the pressure forced the assailants to abandon 31 hostages, with one sustaining injuries and receiving medical attention.

The association rejected this account entirely. “The families and representatives of the victims remain in contact with the bandits, who have confirmed the safe arrival of the victims at their camp. This clearly invalidates any claim of a successful rescue operation,” the statement read.

The association warned that false reports of this nature created unnecessary confusion, raised false hopes among grieving families and eroded public trust in official communications.

“We call on the Nigerian Army and all relevant authorities to ensure that only verified and factual information is released to the public, especially on sensitive matters involving human lives,” it said.

The association urged all stakeholders to intensify genuine and coordinated efforts towards securing the immediate and unconditional release of the abducted worshippers.