Teenage Girl Dies Following Release from Captivity in Nigeria

A 13-year-old girl named Hasana Bulus passed away on November 3, just two days after being released from a six-month captivity by a Fulani militia in Nigeria. Bulus was among six individuals freed on November 1 from a forest hideout in Kaduna state, where they had been held in poor conditions. Reports indicate that Bulus was in critical condition upon her release and died while receiving hospital care.

Bulus was originally abducted in April alongside 10 others from the predominantly Christian village of Awon. According to reports, five of those captives died while in the militia's custody. Survivors described enduring severe deprivation, including long periods without food and the use of chains to restrain male captives. Similar violence has affected the neighboring village of Ariko, where 37 Christians were kidnapped during Easter services; 17 of those individuals have reportedly died in captivity.

Advocacy groups, including Christian Solidarity Worldwide, have called on the Nigerian government to improve security for vulnerable communities and prioritize the rescue of remaining hostages. Research from the Observatory for Religious Freedom in Africa identifies Fulani militias as a primary source of violence against Christians in the region.