17 Christians kidnapped on Easter Sunday in Nigeria die in captivity

It’s emerged that at least 17 Christians who were kidnapped as they celebrated Easter in Nigeria have died in captivity. Please pray for their families and for those still held.

At least 17 Christians who were kidnapped on Easter Sunday in Nigeria have died in captivity.

The believers were among multiple people kidnapped when three churches in the villages of in Ariko and Awon were attacked as they celebrated Easter. It’s believed they were all taken to the same forest hideout, where the conditions have been described as inhumane.

“The experience for them was a terrible one,” Bennie*, whose father died in the same camp, shared with local partner. “They told us how they would stay for two weeks without food. They only boil water to drink. That’s how they struggled before the bandits gave them corn flour, and they started making swallow (a porridge).

“The men are restrained, chained in groups; they are not free to move around,” she added.

Babies die in captivity

These are not the first of the hostages to have died in captivity.

In September, CSW reported that three hostages died in captivity because of the camp’s conditions. According to a joint report with Amnesty International, “A woman named Joy Samuel died on 28 August, after giving birth in a deplorable condition. The baby she delivered also died. Mr Yusuf Bawa 34, and his five-year-old son have also died as a result of severe illness and hunger. The deaths and severe illness these people are facing in captivity show the atrocities they are being subjected to.”

In August, we told you about Victoria. While she bravely managed to escape captivity with two of her children, another didn’t make it after falling severely ill in camp. She also lost her newborn baby shortly after the attack first happened.

A call to intercede

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of 17 more people from those taken hostage from Ariko and Awon communities,” says Jo Newhouse*, Open Doors spokesperson for the work in sub-Saharan Africa.

“Open Doors calls on the Nigerian government to renew all efforts to secure the release of the remaining hostages and all those with them. According to the accounts of people who have left the camp, hostages are held in deplorable conditions and they feel forgotten.

“We ask the body of Christ to intercede on behalf of the remaining hostages and also for the families of those who have died.”

*Names changed for security reasons