After spending about five months in captivity, terrorists have killed a Catholic catechist and five others abducted during the February 9, 2026, attack on Kutaho and Kugir communities in Aribi Ward of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
Despite months of ransom negotiations and payments by members of the affected communities, the abductees were not spared but were eventually killed.
A church source, who pleaded not to be named, said the development has thrown the communities into mourning and renewed concerns over the worsening security situation in Southern Kaduna.
According to the source, “The communities made frantic efforts to secure the release of the abductees through ransom payments and contributions from residents, many of whom reportedly sold personal belongings and farm produce in the hope of bringing their loved ones home alive.”
The source identified those killed as Friday Agama, Kunama Dogo, Monday Tanko, Lami Williams, a man identified simply as Pawpaw’s brother, and the Catholic catechist, who was reportedly subjected to severe torture before dying in captivity.
The source further explained that the victims were among the 32 residents kidnapped when heavily armed terrorists invaded the two communities in a midnight raid in February, firing sporadically before forcing villagers from their homes and marching them into the forest.
The source said many residents fled the communities for fear of further attacks, while families and religious leaders repeatedly appealed to the government and security agencies to intervene and curb the menace in the area.
According to the source, the kidnappers initially demanded N30 million and four motorcycles for the release of the captives. Despite months of negotiations and financial contributions by residents, the terrorists later demanded an additional N15 million before releasing the victims.
Residents said the prolonged captivity, repeated ransom demands and eventual killing of the six victims have devastated the affected communities and undermined their livelihoods. They appealed to security agencies to intensify rescue operations, strengthen security in vulnerable rural communities and ensure those responsible for the killings are arrested and prosecuted.
The Kaduna State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the killings as of the time this report was filed.
