Eight Christians Return After Nearly Six Months in Captivity as Reports Reveal Starvation Deaths in Kaduna

By Globalvoice

Eight of the 37 Christians abducted by armed men identified by local sources as Fulani Ethnic Militia (FEM) from three churches in Ariko village, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, have reportedly returned home after nearly six months in captivity.

However, their return has raised troubling questions about the fate of other abductees, the conditions in which they were held, and the circumstances surrounding their release.

Globalvoice understands that the return of the eight survivors was reported by Reuben Buhari, a former press secretary to the late Kaduna State Governor Patrick Yakowa and a co-founder of the Humanitarian Aid and Dialogue Initiative (RADi). His account, alongside information from a source familiar with the affected families, indicates that the survivors endured severe deprivation during captivity.

The reports also suggest that at least 17 abductees from Ariko died while in captivity, although the circumstances of their deaths and the identities of the deceased have not been independently established by Globalvoice.

The reported deaths bring renewed attention to the humanitarian consequences of mass abductions in southern Kaduna, where families often face prolonged uncertainty over the whereabouts and survival of their loved ones.

Eight Survivors Return After Nearly Six Months

In a statement shared on Facebook, Buhari announced that the captivity of the 37 people abducted from Ariko village on April 5 had ended for the remaining eight survivors.

“The nearly 6 months captivity of the 37 people kidnapped from Ariko village, Kachia LGA, on April 5th has ended,” he wrote.

Buhari attributed their release to efforts by the Kaduna State Government and security personnel.

“The last 8 victims have been released thanks to the efforts of the Kaduna State government and security forces,” he stated.

Speaking in Kaduna on October 7, Buhari described the outcome as a painful victory overshadowed by the reported deaths and suffering of the victims.

“It’s a pyrrhic return after grievous consequences,” he told Globalvoice.

A reconstruction of the reported figures suggests that the original group of 37 abductees experienced three different outcomes: some escaped, others reportedly died, while eight eventually returned home.

According to Buhari, five people were killed during the initial attack, while 12 abductees escaped from captivity at different times. He further stated that 17 died in captivity and eight were eventually released.

These figures account for the 37 people reportedly abducted. However, Globalvoice has not independently verified the individual cases or obtained a complete list of the victims.

Buhari also said the bodies of the 17 people who allegedly died remained in the bush and might never be recovered.

If confirmed, the inability to recover the bodies could complicate efforts to establish the identities of the deceased, determine the precise causes of death and provide closure to grieving families.

“This marks the conclusion of an unfortunate saga, but for those who were freed, it persists. They will continue living with their trauma!” Buhari said.

Questions Remain Over the Circumstances of Their Release

Although Buhari credited the Kaduna State Government and security personnel with facilitating the release, he acknowledged that he did not know the precise mechanism through which the eight survivors regained their freedom.

When asked whether the victims were rescued through a military operation or released following negotiations or ransom payments, he said he could not confirm the details.

“I do not know how they were rescued. But I am informed that it was through the efforts of the state government,” he told Globalvoice.

A source from Ariko village, who is currently taking refuge in Kaduna and requested anonymity for security reasons, offered a different account of the events leading to the release.

According to the source, pressure was mounted on the government, which subsequently entered into discussions with the armed kidnappers.

The source alleged that several meetings took place between government representatives and the abductors, who reportedly boasted about their strength after returning from the meetings.

The source, whose brother was among those released, said the captors eventually informed the remaining Ariko hostages that they were free to leave.

“He told me that it was after one of the meetings that the bandits came and told them to leave; that they were free to go,” the source said.

“There was no exchange of fire between the terrorists and the military. They were just told to go.”

The source further alleged that the survivors left behind the bodies of other captives who had died during their ordeal, attributing the deaths to starvation and malaria.

These claims have not been independently verified by Globalvoice. The Kaduna State Government and relevant security agencies would need to clarify whether negotiations, a security operation or another intervention secured the release.

The circumstances also raise important questions about whether any agreement was reached with the abductors, whether ransom was demanded or paid, and what steps are being taken to secure the release of people reportedly still being held.

Globalvoice has not independently established whether ransom payments were made.

Survivors Reportedly Returned in Critical Physical Condition

The anonymous source described the condition of the returning captives as alarming, saying they appeared severely emaciated after months of inadequate food and exposure to harsh environmental conditions.

According to the source, the eight survivors comprised two adult men, three married women and three children between the ages of 11 and 13.

The source said the brother was receiving hospital treatment alongside five other released captives.

“He returned just like a skeleton but he is responding to treatment in a hospital with five others that were freed with him,” the source said.

The account suggests that the survivors may require sustained medical care and psychological support following their prolonged captivity.

However, Globalvoice has not reviewed their medical records or independently confirmed the full extent of their injuries and illnesses.

The reported condition of the survivors also raises questions about access to food, clean water and medical treatment during captivity, as well as the likelihood of further deaths among those who remain in the custody of the abductors.

Awon Abductees Reportedly Still in Captivity

While the eight Ariko survivors have returned, the fate of abductees taken from neighbouring Awon village remains uncertain.

The anonymous source alleged that the armed group had refused to release captives from Awon, despite allowing the surviving Ariko victims to leave.

Buhari confirmed that he had received reports indicating that the Awon abductees were still being held.

“Today is 170 days since their abduction,” he said, expressing concern about the condition of those remaining in captivity.

Buhari disclosed that he also had a cousin among the Awon victims and said families had received disturbing accounts about their living conditions.

“We don’t know why they only freed the surviving Ariko hostages without those from Awon,” he said.

The difference in the reported outcomes of the two groups raises a central question: why were the surviving Ariko captives released while people abducted from Awon allegedly remained in the hands of the same armed group?

At the time of the reported release, Globalvoice had no independently verified explanation from the Kaduna State Government or security agencies.

The circumstances surrounding the continued detention of the Awon victims remain unclear.

Three Year Old Girl Reportedly Loses Mother and Newborn Sibling in Captivity

Among those reportedly still being held is three year old Silvia Samuel, who was abducted alongside her pregnant mother from Awon village on April 20, 2026.

In a Facebook post dated October 7, Buhari said Silvia had spent approximately 170 days in captivity.

“Three year old Silvia Samuel has been held captive for 170 days after being kidnapped from Awon Village in Kachia LGA on 20 April,” the post stated.

According to Buhari, Silvia and her pregnant mother were abducted while walking. Eleven people were reportedly taken during the incident.

Buhari said one of the abductees subsequently escaped, while four others died, leaving six people reportedly alive at the time of his account.

He further alleged that Silvia's mother gave birth while in captivity, but the newborn died. Her mother subsequently died in September, leaving the three year old without her mother or newborn sibling.

If confirmed, the account represents one of the most distressing reported cases emerging from the prolonged abductions in the area.

Buhari also identified two other children among the remaining captives: Faith, 14, whose younger brother, Devine, reportedly died in captivity after prolonged hunger, and another 14 year old girl, Racheal.

The reported deaths of the newborn and Devine, alongside the alleged death of Silvia's mother, underscore the vulnerability of children and pregnant women held in prolonged captivity without reliable access to food and medical care.

Globalvoice has not independently verified these individual deaths and continues to distinguish the claims attributed to Buhari from independently established facts.

Reports of Severe Malnutrition and Disease Among Remaining Captives

Buhari's account described deteriorating health conditions among the six Awon abductees he said were still alive.

According to the information he received, the captives were suffering from sores attributed to insect bites, ringworm affecting their scalps, bleeding gums and decaying teeth.

He also said they were severely emaciated after months of hunger, illness and exposure to the elements.

These symptoms, if accurately reported, could indicate serious malnutrition, untreated infections and prolonged neglect. However, a medical assessment would be necessary to establish the precise conditions affecting the captives.

The reports are particularly concerning because prolonged malnutrition and untreated illness can become life threatening, especially for young children.

For the families, the absence of verified information about the captives' current locations, health and access to medical care compounds the uncertainty surrounding their fate.

What the Government and Security Agencies Need to Clarify

The reported return of the eight Ariko survivors offers relief to their families but leaves significant questions unanswered.

First, the Kaduna State Government needs to clarify the nature of its reported intervention and explain how the eight survivors were released.

Second, security agencies need to establish what is known about the reported deaths in captivity, including whether the alleged victims can be identified and their remains recovered.

Third, urgent attention is needed to determine the whereabouts and condition of the Awon abductees, particularly the children reportedly still being held.

Finally, the circumstances surrounding the alleged deaths of captives from starvation and illness warrant investigation. Independent verification would help establish what happened, identify those responsible and determine whether further intervention could prevent additional deaths.

Globalvoice has not independently verified the alleged negotiations, the reported deaths or the precise conditions inside the captors' camp. The accounts in this report are attributed to Buhari and a source familiar with the affected families, and the claims require further corroboration.

For now, the return of eight survivors marks the end of one part of the Ariko abduction ordeal, but it does not resolve the wider crisis.

With reports that children and other abductees from Awon remain in captivity, the most urgent question is whether authorities can establish their whereabouts and secure their release before more lives are lost.