Bandits have demanded a ₦1 billion ransom and 35 motorcycles to release 37 Christian worshippers who have been held in captivity.
The victims were abducted on Easter Sunday during coordinated attacks on St. Augustine Catholic Church, ECWA, and Baptist churches in the Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Five people were killed during the initial assault.
The abductors explicitly demanded two specific types of motorcycles: 20 "Boko Haram" brand motorcycles and 15 Bajaj motorcycles.
The victims, who include elderly individuals, women, and children, have spent approximately 45 days in captivity.
Dr. Joseph David Ariko, President of the Kuturmi Development Association (KUDA), stated that the rural community has no means of raising such a staggering amount.
The community has made an urgent appeal to the Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government to intervene immediately and launch a swift tactical rescue operation to save the remaining hostages.