Dispute Over Rescue Claims After Easter Church Attack in Kaduna
Residents of a Nigerian community have challenged the Nigerian army's claim that 31 civilians were rescued following an attack on a church during Easter celebrations in the north of the country.
The army stated that it freed civilians who had been taken hostage by gunmen who raided a church in Ariko, Kaduna state, on Sunday morning. Authorities reported that five civilians were killed in the attack, while a local church official reported the death toll as seven.
However, Joseph Ariko, president of the Ariko community association, told the BBC that the abducted individuals remain unaccounted for and requested that the army disclose the identities of those rescued.
"As far as we are concerned, all the abducted victims are still with the bandits."
The army has yet to respond to this statement.
According to the military, soldiers engaged the attackers in a "fierce firefight," which forced the gunmen to flee, leaving behind hostages and the bodies of the deceased.
Attacks and kidnappings for ransom are frequent in northern Nigeria, where the government continues to confront security challenges posed by jihadist groups and armed gangs, commonly referred to as bandits.
Despite the army's assertion of a swift response to the attack, local media have reported that residents claim the gunmen operated for an extended period without encountering resistance.
On Monday, Rev John Hayab of the Christian Association of Nigeria expressed skepticism about the rescue claims after speaking with local residents.
"Nobody has been rescued If they are rescued, where did they take them to?"
Officials stated that the firefight resulted in "significant casualties" among the fleeing terrorists, as indicated by blood trails along their escape routes.
Troops have been deployed to pursue the insurgents and bolster security in the area.
The army has encouraged residents to provide information that could assist operations against groups contributing to insecurity nationwide.
Separate Military Offensive in Zamfara State
In a related development, Nigeria's military reportedly killed 65 bandits during an offensive in Zamfara state, according to the AFP news agency on Sunday. This operation followed a large-scale abduction of residents from villages in the state.
Police confirmed on Saturday that a mass abduction had occurred earlier in the week in villages within Zamfara state, prompting a manhunt for the perpetrators.
International Concerns and Support
Late last year, the administration of US President Donald Trump expressed concerns about the treatment of Christians in Nigeria and urged the Nigerian government to enhance security and protection for Christian communities.
Trump had previously alleged that a "Christian genocide" was occurring in Nigeria, a claim strongly denied by the Nigerian government, which stated that Muslims, Christians, and non-religious individuals have all been victims of attacks.
In February, US troops were deployed to Nigeria to train Nigerian forces and assist with intelligence efforts in combating Islamist militants and other armed groups.
Additional reporting by Basillioh Rukanga
Further Information
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