Abductors of 37 worshippers from the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) in Arikon community, Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State, have demanded a N1 billion ransom, threatening to kill the victims if the sum is not paid.

In a viral video showing the victims assembled at a hideout, a Spokesperson for the bandits spoke for two minutes and 22 seconds in Hausa.

While the bandits in the video threatened to kill the victims if families failed to pay, they did not explicitly mention the ransom amount in the footage itself.

However, a dependable source who requested anonymity told our reporter via telephone that the bandits called on Wednesday using one of the victims’ phones to demand N1 billion, threatening to kill everyone in captivity.

The bandits’ spokesman in the video claimed the worshippers were abducted for allegedly conniving with the Army to kill herders who had been rearing cattle around the community since last year.

Daily Trust previously reported that bandits wielding AK-47 rifles and riding motorcycles invaded the ECWA church on April 5, 2026, during the Easter service.

The attackers killed five worshippers and abducted 37 others, including men, women, and children.

Hours after the attack, the Nigerian Army (Section 5, Kaduna Command) claimed in a statement that its troops had rescued the victims.

However, the community, under the aegis of the Kuturmi Unity Development Association, issued a counterstatement describing the Army’s claim as false.

In a statement signed by the association’s President, Dr. JD Arikon, and Publicity Secretary, Hon. Manaseh Samuel, the group confirmed that the bandits had already contacted the victims’ families.

“Our attention has been drawn to reports alleging that the Nigerian Army has successfully rescued 31 persons who were abducted by bandits during the Easter service in Arikon… 

“We wish to state categorically that this claim is entirely false, misleading, and does not reflect the current situation. Contrary to reports, all abducted persons are still in captivity,” the statement read.

The Village Chief of Arikon, Chief Joshua Doka, also countered the Army’s claim during an interview in Katari, stating flatly that “nobody was rescued.”

On Friday, a dependable source who requested anonymity told our reporter via telephone that the bandits called on Wednesday using one of the victims’ phones to demand N1 billion, threatening to kill everyone in captivity.

The source noted that the bandit leader contacted a resident of Katari who is acting as a mediator for the families. The mediator’s name was withheld for security reasons.

“On Thursday, around 11:12 am, the bandit leader called again. This was after they released the video of the victims. 

They demanded N1 billion or they will kill everyone,” the source said, adding that the leader hung up immediately after stating the ransom.

When contacted by our reporter on Friday, Chief Joshua Doka declined further comment. 

“All I can tell you is that we need your prayers for God to rescue my people from the hands of those who now see themselves as ‘government.’ That is all I can say,” the chief said.

The spokesperson for the Kaduna State Police Command, DSP Hassan Mansur, did not respond to calls or text messages regarding the development at the time of filing this report. (Daily Trust)