Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: September 12, 2026
How long, O Lord?
It is a question we find throughout the Psalms, and one that many in southern Kaduna State, Nigeria, must be asking.
Five months ago, heavily armed assailants attacked Easter Sunday services at two churches in Ariko community. Seven people were killed and 37 worshippers were abducted. Later that month, 11 people were taken from nearby Awon village and brought to the same forest camp. Their captors demanded a sum far beyond the means of these rural communities, threatening to withhold food until it was paid.
Since then, those taken captives have been sleeping in the open, exposed to illness and severe hunger. By late July, at least eight people had reportedly died whilst being held captive.
Now we have received more heartbreaking news. Three more people have died during their captivity.
A woman, Joy Samuel, died on 28 August. She had given birth in the forest camp, but her baby did not survive. Joy’s three-year-old daughter, Silvia, who was abducted alongside her, is reportedly critically ill.
Yusuf Bawa, 34, and his five-year-old son have also died from sickness and acute hunger. Two 14-year-old girls, Faith Kefas and Rachel Bulus, are also reported to be critically ill. Seven people from Awon remain prisoners of the armed militia.
Their captors have reportedly reduced their ransom for the release of the remaining seven captives, who they admitted were in extremely poor condition due to illness and starvation.
Nigeria continues to experience a rise in mass abductions, as hundreds are held captive for prolonged periods pending payment of extortionate ransoms, resulting in what has been termed the normalisation of prolonged captivity.
We cannot allow prolonged captivity to become normal. Let us continue to cry out to God to bring justice.
Please pray:
- For the immediate release of Silvia, Faith, Rachel and all those still held captive from the Ariko and Awon communities. Ask God to sustain them physically, mentally and spiritually.
- For healing for those who are critically ill, and for urgent access to food, medical care and safety.
- For the Lord’s comfort to surround everyone mourning Joy, Yusuf, his young son, and all who have died during this horrific ordeal.
- For decisive action by Nigeria’s state and federal authorities to secure the release of every captive, protect vulnerable communities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
When we hear news like this, it can be difficult to find the words to say. Yet we have faith in the God who sees those hidden from the world and hears the prayers of the afflicted.
Lord, do not forget them. Bring freedom, healing and justice. Amen.