Residents of Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have cried out to the federal and state governments to urgently secure the release of 37 worshippers abducted during Easter Sunday attacks on churches in the area.
The bandits are demanding N1bn from the affected community before releasing the 37 kidnapped people that have been in captivity since Easter Sunday.
President of the Kuturmi Development Association (KUDA), Dr Joseph David Ariko, told DAILY POST that the community cannot afford to meet the N1 billion ransom and 35 motorcycles demanded by the abductors, saying that their only hope lies in government intervention and swift rescue operations of the affected people.
DAILY POST reports that armed bandits stormed three churches in Ariko community during Easter Sunday services, killing five worshippers before whisking away 37 others into captivity.
The victims taken from St. Augustine Catholic Church, ECWA and Baptist Churches have now spent about 45 days in captivity, leaving families and residents in fear, anguish and uncertainty over their fate.
The President of Kuturmi Development Association explained that the abductors have remained in constant contact with the community, insisting on their demand without any reduction.
According to him, “They (bandits) called virtually every two days, demanding for N1bn and 35 motorcycles. They are not ready to reduce the amount of money they are demanding from the poor farmers, who in reality cannot afford to raise such an amount of money.”
David lamented that the community lacks the financial capacity to meet the demand, adding that residents have no option but to depend on the government to rescue their loved ones in captivity.
He stated that they want the government to go and rescue their people, stressing that they cannot afford what the bandits are demanding from them.
According to him, the prolonged captivity has deepened fear across the community and disrupted normal social and economic activities in the area, lamenting that many residents now live in constant apprehension, while affected families continue to struggle emotionally and financially in the aftermath of the attack.
The community leaders, therefore, urged security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe release of the victims and restore residents’ confidence.
They also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, humanitarian organisations and other stakeholders to come to the aid of the community in order to overcome and ensure the release of their beloved ones.
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