Christian Communities in Kachia Under Siege: Calls for Action Intensify
(Photo: CSW)
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) is intensifying its calls on the Nigerian government to take decisive action in freeing numerous Christians abducted by Fulani militants in Kachia. The fervent appeal comes after a series of violent attacks that have left communities devastated.
On Easter Sunday, a tragic scene unfolded as First ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All) Church and St Augustine Catholic Church in Ariko faced brutal assaults. The attacks resulted in the deaths of seven individuals and the kidnapping of 37 others.
Further compounding the crisis, an additional 11 people were taken from Awon village on April 20, highlighting the ongoing threat in Kachia.
Reports have revealed that the kidnappers are demanding an exorbitant ransom of 300 million Naira (£165,000) along with 23 motorcycles. A local counteroffer involving a few million Naira was dismissed, accompanied by threats to deprive the captives of food until demands are satisfied.
Tragically, the conditions of captivity have claimed lives. In June, it was reported that a girl and her mother succumbed to “extreme hunger,” and children forced to endure open-air camps are falling ill.
A recently released individual shared harrowing accounts of seeing the bodies of two men, two women, and three children being discarded over a slope, one of whom was a two-week-old infant born in captivity.
Mervyn Thomas, Founder President of CSW, expressed deep concern, stating, “Abductees from Ariko and Awon villages are slowly dying due to the inhumane conditions in which they are being held.” He further added, “It is deeply perplexing that their captors expect poor rural farming communities to source such extortionate sums swiftly.”
He urged, “We urge both state and federal authorities to make every effort to secure the release of the surviving victims, and to bring all perpetrators to justice.”
The Nigerian government’s stance of not paying ransoms has been questioned following several high-profile cases where victims were released, leading to speculation about the methods used to secure these releases.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
