Civil Society Critiques Army's Rescue Claims in Kaduna

Civil society leaders, including prominent figures like Chidi Odinkalu and Gloria Ballason, have condemned the Nigerian Army's claims regarding the rescue of abducted victims following an attack on the Ariko community in Kaduna State. During the Easter Sunday incident, gunmen killed at least five worshippers and abducted dozens.

The Army announced that 31 victims were rescued, but a coalition of civil society organizations, including Atrocities Watch Africa and the Justice Development Foundation, stated that 38 victims remain in captivity. They criticized the Army's statements as misleading and emphasized that families of the abducted have confirmed their loved ones are still alive and held by the abductors.

The coalition highlighted a disturbing pattern of denial by authorities regarding security issues in Kaduna State and called for a shift in focus towards genuine rescue efforts rather than propagandistic claims. They also expressed concern over the broader security situation in the region, warning that many communities remain at risk.