Seven Kidnap Victims Rescued After Easter Sunday Attacks on Kaduna Churches

Seven people abducted during the Easter Sunday attacks on two churches in the Ariko community of Kaduna State have been rescued following a joint security operation, police authorities have confirmed.

The victims are currently receiving medical care at a hospital and are said to be in stable condition, awaiting reunion with their families.

According to a statement released on Monday, the rescue operation was coordinated by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of operations, who was deployed to the area by the Inspector-General of Police. The operation involved collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services.

The attacks occurred on April 5, 2026, when armed bandits stormed an ECWA church and a Catholic church in Ariko Village, near the Gurara Dam. The assailants fired indiscriminately, killing five people and abducting approximately 14 worshippers.

Following the incident, the Inspector-General of Police ordered an immediate operational intervention, and a senior officer was deployed to assess the situation on the ground and coordinate security efforts.

The police have confirmed that operations are ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims and to apprehend those responsible for the attacks.

The public has been urged to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and provide credible information to support ongoing efforts.

The Easter Sunday attack on the two churches comes barely two months after a similar incident in the Kurmin Wali community, also in Kaduna State, where scores of worshippers were abducted during a church gathering in February 2026.