Amnesty International has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure the release of 37 people abducted from Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, warning that the victims remain at grave risk after spending months in captivity.
The rights group says urgent action is needed to ensure their safe return and hold those responsible for the attack accountable.
Amnesty International says government’s failure to secure the release of the victims highlights the growing insecurity confronting rural communities in Kaduna State and other parts of Nigeria.
The victims were kidnapped on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, when armed men attacked churches in the community, killing at least seven people and abducting mostly women and children.
In a statement, the organisation expressed concern that the victims could be subjected to torture, starvation, rape, amputation and other forms of abuse if urgent action is not taken.
Amnesty International said families of those still in captivity have accused the government of abandoning them, citing the absence of information on efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.
The organisation urged the authorities to intensify rescue operations, ensure the safe return of the abductees and bring the perpetrators to justice.
It further argued that the continued failure to protect vulnerable communities and secure the release of abducted victims amounts to a violation of Nigeria’s obligations under the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Amnesty International called on the government to act without delay, stressing that the people of Ariko deserve justice and the safe return of their loved ones after more than three months in captivity.
