Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A coalition of civil society organisations and rights advocates has disputed the Nigerian Army’s claim that victims abducted during an attack on Ariko community in Kaduna State were rescued, insisting that all those taken remain in captivity.
The groups, which include House of Justice, Middle Belt Concern, Atrocities Watch Africa, and the Community Development and Rights Advocacy Foundation, alongside prominent rights advocates such as Prof Chidi Odinkalu and Gloria Ballason, said the military’s announcement was inaccurate and risked creating a false impression about the security situation in the area.
The controversy follows an attack on Easter Sunday in Ariko community, Awon Ward, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed men reportedly invaded a church service, killing at least five worshippers and abducting dozens of people in a violent assault that left the community in shock.
In the immediate aftermath of the incident, the Nigerian Army announced that 31 of the abducted victims had been rescued during a military operation, a statement that was widely circulated as evidence of a swift response by security forces.
However, the coalition of civil society organisations has strongly rejected that account, describing it as misleading and inconsistent with information obtained from families and local sources in the affected community.
In a statement made available to journalists, the coalition insisted that all 38 abducted persons remain in captivity, adding that none of the victims had been physically recovered at the time of its communication.
According to the groups, families of the abducted victims are still in contact with the kidnappers, who have reportedly confirmed that the victims are alive but continue to be held in undisclosed forest locations.
The coalition argued that the situation on the ground directly contradicts official claims of a successful rescue operation, warning that premature announcements could undermine public trust and complicate ongoing efforts to secure the release of the victims.
It further cautioned that inaccurate communication from security authorities in high-profile abduction cases could create a false sense of security among the public and potentially mislead stakeholders involved in coordinating responses to insecurity in affected communities.
The statement also referenced the Kuturmi Unity Development Association, which the coalition said corroborated its position that no rescue had taken place and that the abducted individuals were still being held by their captors.
Beyond the immediate Ariko incident, the civil society groups alleged that there is a broader pattern of denial and inconsistent communication by authorities in relation to security incidents across Kaduna State, particularly in rural communities affected by armed attacks and kidnappings.
They called for greater transparency, accurate reporting, and improved coordination between security agencies and local communities, stressing that credible information is essential for effective crisis response and public confidence.
The Nigerian Army has not issued a fresh response to the latest allegations at the time of filing this report, but its earlier statement had maintained that troops conducted a successful rescue operation following the attack.
The Ariko incident is one of several recent violent episodes in parts of Kaduna State, where rural communities have continued to face attacks involving armed groups engaging in killings, abductions, and displacement of residents.
Security operations have been ongoing in the region as authorities attempt to curb repeated incidents of mass kidnapping and violence targeting both religious gatherings and remote settlements.
Civil society organisations have repeatedly urged security agencies to improve both operational effectiveness and communication strategies, particularly in cases involving abducted civilians, where conflicting reports can heighten anxiety among affected families.
The latest dispute over the reported rescue underscores ongoing tensions between official security narratives and accounts from local communities and advocacy groups, highlighting the challenges of verifying information in active conflict and insecurity zones.
As efforts continue to secure the release of the remaining victims, attention remains focused on the accuracy of official communication and the need for coordinated action to address insecurity in Kaduna State and other affected parts of northern Nigeria.
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