One week after kidnappers overran their community, 37 abducted residents of Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State are still in captivity.
DAILY POST recalls that on Sunday, April 5, 2026, during Easter celebrations, bandits invaded two churches in Ariko community, killed five worshippers, and abducted 37 others.
A Facebook user, Mr Reuben Buhari, former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Yakowa, wrote on his verified Facebook page on Sunday: “Today marks seven days since 37 people were kidnapped from their church in Ariko, Kachia LGA, on Easter Sunday; 37 of our people, mostly women and children, went to church wearing their Sunday best, preparing to finish church and rush home to eat the special food cooked for Easter, but ended up being kidnapped from inside their church, and are now sleeping in the bush, hungry, scared, and depressed.
“They are Gloria Hosea, Fibi Ezekiel, Ladi Aminu, Ladi Danlami, Lami Audu, Ahmadu Dandoka, Sunday Alhaji, Helen Waziri, Jummai Jacob, Tanimu Atete, Dandy Shehu, Stephen Dandy, Victoria Simeon, Toma Simeon, Akwa Simeon, Blessing Simeon, Lami Tanko, Alice Tanko, Lewis Ezekiel, Edward Ezekiel, Elisheba Ezekiel, Mary Sunday, Alheri Bitrus, Hadeza Garba, Rahab Ibrahim, Juliet Ibrahim, Anna Bako, Geoffrey Jacob, Mamah Sunday, Lami Bahago, Dorcas Simeon, Joy Irimiya, Frances Tanko, Doka Auta, Joy Simeon, Faith Sunday, and Abigail Sunday.
“Please pray for them and for others kidnapped from other communities in Kachia LGA.”