Amnesty International has raised the alarm over the continued captivity of 37 worshippers abducted during attacks on churches in Southern Kaduna, accusing the Nigerian authorities of failing to adequately protect civilians from recurring attacks, abductions and killings.
The rights organisation, in a statement on Monday, said the victims were abducted during Easter Sunday worship on April 5, 2026, in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and have now spent about five months in captivity.
The development comes despite repeated assurances by the administration of President Bola Tinubu that the government is taking steps to protect Nigerians and secure the release of citizens held by armed groups.
Amnesty International described the continued captivity of the worshippers as part of a wider security crisis in Southern Kaduna, saying the incident was among several attacks that demonstrated what it termed the “utter failure of Nigerian authorities to protect the people.”
The organisation expressed particular concern over reports that some of the abducted persons had died in captivity as a result of the harsh conditions they were allegedly subjected to.
According to Amnesty International, three of the 11 people abducted from Awon community reportedly died within the week.
The organisation identified one of the victims as Joy Samuel, who it said died on August 28 after giving birth while being held captive under what it described as deplorable conditions. Amnesty International said the baby also died.
It further identified another victim as 34-year-old Yusuf Bawa, who reportedly died alongside his five-year-old son from what the organisation described as severe illness and hunger.
“Three of the 11 people abducted from Awon community have died in captivity this week. A woman Joy Samuel died on 28 August, after giving birth in a deplorable condition. The baby she delivered also died. Mr. Yusuf Bawa 34, and his 5-year-old son have also died as a result of severe illness and hunger,” Amnesty International said.
The rights group said the reported deaths and illnesses underscored the severity of the conditions allegedly facing the abducted worshippers.
“Deaths and severe illness these people are facing in captivity show the atrocities they are being subjected to,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International also alleged that the captives were being subjected to repeated threats of death, starvation, sexual violence, beatings and other forms of degrading treatment.
“While in captivity, the abducted persons are always repeatedly threatened to be killed, starved, women and girls raped, beaten and dehumanized in so many ways,” it said.
The organisation’s allegations, if established, point to the growing humanitarian consequences of prolonged abductions in communities where residents are already struggling with insecurity, disrupted livelihoods and fear.
Amnesty International said recurring attacks, ransom-driven abductions and killings had continued to make life increasingly difficult for residents of Southern Kaduna.
It said the security crisis had created a climate of fear that was affecting farming, education and other aspects of social life.
“Recurring attacks, abductions for ransom, and killings are continuing to make life a hell in many parts of southern Kaduna. A climate of fear is affecting agricultural activities, education and other aspects of social lives of the people,” the organisation said.
The rights group called on the Nigerian government to intensify efforts to protect civilians and secure the release of those being held by armed groups.
It urged the government to fulfil what it described as its national and international human rights obligations by taking immediate steps to secure the safe release and return of the abducted worshippers.
“The Nigerian government must deliver on its national and international human rights obligations by immediately redoubling efforts to ensure the safe release and return of not only the 37 worshippers abducted in Kachia LGA, but also all people held captive by gunmen across Nigeria,” Amnesty International said.
The latest concerns have renewed attention on the security situation in Southern Kaduna, where communities have repeatedly experienced attacks and abductions, leaving families facing prolonged uncertainty over the fate of their relatives.
The insecurity has also raised concerns about the ability of residents to engage in farming and other economic activities, while children and young people face disruptions to education and normal community life.
The Ariko attack occurred on Easter Sunday, April 5, when suspected terrorists reportedly launched coordinated assaults on two churches in the community — First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church.
At least seven worshippers were reportedly killed during the attacks, while several others were abducted.
A councillor representing Awon Ward, Mark Bawa, confirmed the incident at the time, saying heavily armed assailants stormed the area during early morning church services.
The reported captivity of the worshippers for months, coupled with Amnesty International’s account of deaths among some of those abducted, has intensified calls for stronger security measures and urgent action to rescue Nigerians held by armed groups.
For the families of the remaining captives, however, the prolonged uncertainty continues, with no clear end in sight to their ordeal.