13-year-old abductee dies two days after release as attacks continue

CSW has learned of the death on 3 November of Hasana Bulus, one of five surviving villagers abducted by militia of Fulani ethnicity from Awon village in the Kachia Local Government Area (LGA) in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, on 20 April.

Miss Bulus, 13, had been released on 1 November and returned home on 2 November, along with Hanatu Yusuf, 52, Celina Maichibi, 46, Faith Kefas, 14, and Sylvia Samuel, 4. The releases reportedly followed the payment of a ransom consisting of three motorcycles costing over 2 million Naira (approximately 1,100 GBP) each, recharge cards and drinks. However, Miss Bulus, who had fallen critically ill while in captivity, died in hospital in Kachia Town on 3 November.

A total of 11 people were abducted from Awon by heavily armed Fulani militiamen on 20 April. One Awon resident managed to escape; however, five died in captivity, including every male abductee. Among them was Joy Samuel, 33, who died alongside her newborn baby and whose young daughter was among the released survivors. The other fatalities were Dogara Maisamari, a medical practitioner in his fifties, Yusuf Bawa, 31, Gaius Yusuf, 5, and Devine Sunday, 7.

Villagers from Awon were held in the same camp as 37 worshippers who were abducted in coordinated attacks on three Easter Sunday services in the Ariko community of Kachia LGA on 5 April. Twelve of these villagers managed to escape; 17 died in the camp, again including every male hostage, and the remaining eight were freed after being held for five months.

Meanwhile, deadly militia attacks on villages and accompanying abductions for ransom continue to occur in southern Kaduna, with reports reaching CSW Nigeria of an attack on the Akwando community near Awon village on the morning of 4 November, in which Irimiya Galadima, 41, and Benjamin Danlami, 32, were killed and 20 people, including women and children, were abducted. The youngest abductee is four months old.

Akwando village has suffered frequent militia attacks, some of which have led to loss of life. In one infamous incident, six students, the driver of their vehicle and two other adults were abducted on 26 April by armed men who intercepted the vehicle in which they were travelling to school in Kachia Town. While 15 children managed to escape, a student named Purity Babangida was crushed to death while hiding under the vehicle. The traumatised abductees were eventually released 36 days later, and had to walk through the bush for six hours to reach safety.

CSW’s CEO Scot Bower said: ‘CSW extends heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Hasana Bulus, who was taken from them over six months ago, then returned, only to tragically pass away. We also extend deepest condolences to all who are mourning members of the Awon and Ariko communities who died in captivity, and wish those who have been released or escaped a swift and full recovery from the mistreatment, privation and emotional trauma they endured. We continue to urge the Nigerian government at state and federal levels to prioritise the protection of vulnerable communities throughout the nation, to combat the threat posed by the litany of terrorist groups that are active in the country far more effectively, and to secure the release of all abductees, including the 20 taken from the Akwando community, which continues to be targeted far too frequently and with impunity.’

Notes to Editors:

The names of the abductees from the Akwandu Community:

1. Alis Ahmadu
2. Amina Ahmadu
3. Haske Ahmadu
4. Usman Galadima
5. La’a’zarus Genesis
6. Miracle Genesis
7. Musa Genesis
8. Nansy Genesis
9. Afiniki Irimeya
10. Hanatu Irimeya
11. Hellen Irimeya
12. Janet Irimeya
13. Desmon Ishaya
14. Lovet Ishaya
15. Great Isiac
16. Gloria Markus
17. Madalin Markus
18. Siam Shagari
19. Happy Stephen
20. Zila Stephen