Tragic Easter Sunday Attack Highlights Ongoing Insecurity in Kaduna
In a shocking incident on Easter Sunday 2026, five worshippers lost their lives and 38 others were abducted from two churches in Aliko, located in the Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State. This violent attack underscores the deteriorating security situation in the region, as families of the victims criticize official government statements claiming successful military rescues.
On the morning of April 5, heavily armed terrorists launched an assault on the Aliko community, specifically targeting the First ECWA Church and a Catholic church while attendees gathered for one of the most significant events in the Christian calendar. The aftermath left a community reeling from both loss and fear, as victims and families now face a grim reality.
In the wake of the attack, the Nigerian military claimed to have rescued 31 of the kidnapped individuals. However, relatives of those taken have vehemently denied this assertion, stating that their loved ones remain in captivity. Dr. J.D. Ariko, president of the Kturmi United Development Association (KUDA), emphasized in a statement released on April 6 that “all the abductees are still being held captive,” directly contradicting military claims of a successful rescue.
Families have reported ongoing communication with the kidnappers, confirming that those abducted are still being held within their confines. On April 10, the Citizens Association for Good Governance and Accountability, a coalition of over 30 human rights and community groups, denounced the military’s statements as propaganda, asserting that such misinformation aims more at misleading the public than at facilitating genuine rescue efforts.
The pattern of denial and misinformation is not new in the region. Civil society groups recall a similar episode on January 18, 2026, when armed robbers abducted 177 churchgoers in Kurmin Wari, resulting in initial police and local government disbelief about the attack. Public backlash eventually forced a reluctant acknowledgment from authorities. The coalition reflects on the government’s strategy, which they describe as one of denial, deflection, and discrediting before conceding under mounting public pressure.
The situation in Nigeria’s Kaduna State remains dire, as the aftermath of the Aliko attack reveals a wider crisis. On Palm Sunday, March 29, 2026, terrorists carried out another violent raid in Kahir, Alibi District, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals and the abduction of 28 more, further straining community resources. Following that, reports emerged of banditry in Zunturmu, raising fears for public safety as demands for ransoms escalate.
The Kachia LGA Chairman, Dr. Manzo Daniel Maigari, noted a staggering 74 communities have been effectively abandoned due to ongoing insecurity, a statistic that underscores the state and federal governments’ failure to protect their citizens. This alarming reality continues to expose the vulnerability of local populations.
Those who dare to speak the truth face severe consequences. Hon. Mark Bawa, the Chairman of the Kachia LGA Legislative Council, openly addressed the gravity of the Alico attack in a press interview. Subsequently, he was suspended indefinitely, accused of misrepresenting information and not attending a military meeting to clarify his statements. Civil society groups firmly condemned this suspension as a double victimization of a representative who voices the concerns of his constituents.
Demands for accountability and action remain resolute among local advocacy groups, which call for the immediate return of all abductees and the repatriation of displaced persons from the abandoned communities. They stress the urgency of government responsibilities under the 1999 Constitution, emphasizing that these individuals are not mere statistics but significant members of the community, deserving of urgent focus from security agencies in Kaduna State.
As of now, the fate of the hostages remains uncertain, with families waiting anxiously for their loved ones to return home safely.
