A woman abducted from Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State has escaped from her kidnappers’ den after spending about 180 days in captivity, but her four-year-old daughter died during the family’s desperate journey to freedom.
The woman, whose identity was withheld, was kidnapped while pregnant alongside her three daughters, aged four, six and 12, during an attack on Ariko village. While in captivity, she gave birth to a baby, who reportedly died about three weeks later.
According to security analyst and former Kaduna State governorship aide, Reuben Buhari, the woman and her three surviving daughters fled the kidnappers’ camp on Saturday after months in captivity.
Buhari disclosed that the family’s youngest daughter, Christy, was already critically ill during the escape, suffering from swollen eyes and legs and unable to walk. Her mother initially carried her on her back before the family’s 12-year-old daughter took over when exhaustion set in.
Despite being barefoot, weak and malnourished, the family pressed on through the bush. As night fell, they were forced to sleep in the forest before resuming their trek the following morning.
Tragedy struck during the journey when Christy died before they could reach safety.
According to Buhari, the grieving mother and her daughters refused to abandon the child’s body, taking turns carrying her remains as they continued the arduous trek. At one point, the mother became too weak to continue, leaving the 12-year-old to carry her younger sister’s body until they eventually arrived at a village in Kachia Local Government Area on Sunday afternoon.
Residents who found the exhausted family reportedly provided assistance before moving them to another community, where they are receiving medical care to stabilise their condition ahead of their transfer to Kaduna for further treatment.
Buhari said the woman and her daughters were among dozens of residents abducted from Ariko village and neighbouring communities several months ago.
He noted that 33 victims from Ariko, as well as 11 others kidnapped from Awon village, remain in captivity, raising concerns about their deteriorating health.
Describing reports from the kidnappers’ den as alarming, Buhari said many of those still being held were said to be severely weakened and emaciated. He appealed to the public to keep the remaining captives and their families in their prayers while efforts continue to secure their release.
