Five Months, 37 Worshippers, Three Deaths, No Rescue

Amnesty International says 37 worshippers abducted from churches in Southern Kaduna on Easter Sunday, April 5, are still in captivity five months later, and three of them are already dead.

The victims were taken during early morning services at First ECWA Church and St. Augustine Catholic Church in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area. Amnesty International said a woman named Joy Samuel died on August 28 after giving birth in deplorable conditions, and the baby she delivered also died. Mr. Yusuf Bawa, 34, and his five-year-old son also died in captivity from severe illness and hunger.

The rights group said the abducted persons are repeatedly threatened with death, starved, and that women and girls are raped and beaten. Amnesty International called it the "utter failure of Nigerian authorities to protect the people." Five months after President Bola Tinubu's government promised to secure their release, these families are still waiting. Who is going to answer for Joy Samuel and her baby?