58 Days in Captivity: Abducted Worshipper Gives Birth in Bandits’ Camp as Ordeal of Kaduna Church Victims Deepens

A woman abducted alongside dozens of worshippers during an Easter church service in Ariko community, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has reportedly given birth in a bandits’ camp after spending 58 days in captivity.

The account was disclosed on Tuesday by Reuben Buhari, former media aide to the late Kaduna State Governor, Sir Patrick Yakowa, who said the information came from a woman who recently escaped from the camp.

According to Buhari, the escapee trekked through the bush for three days before regaining her freedom and shared details of the harsh conditions faced by those still being held.

She revealed that the nursing mother, who was already ill and severely malnourished, went into labour about a week ago while in captivity. With no access to medical care, fellow female captives who had experience with childbirth reportedly assisted her through the delivery.

The women were said to have used pieces of clothing they had been wearing since their abduction to wrap the newborn baby. The escapee further alleged that when they requested a sharp object to cut the baby’s umbilical cord, the captors refused. After waiting for about an hour, one of the women reportedly resorted to cutting the cord with her teeth.

According to the account, appeals for water to clean the mother and child were also denied. The captors allegedly insisted they would not waste water on a newborn they believed would not survive. Requests to allow the women access to a nearby stream were equally rejected.

The women reportedly pleaded with the abductors to release the nursing mother and her baby, but their request was turned down.

The escapee said the mother initially struggled to breastfeed because of severe malnutrition and was unable to produce milk immediately after delivery. However, the baby continued suckling until a small amount of breast milk eventually began to flow.

Relief reportedly came hours later when rainfall provided water for the women, who soaked pieces of cloth and used them to clean both the newborn and the mother.

She disclosed that the baby was still alive five days after birth when she left the camp, although part of the umbilical cord had not yet detached.

Describing conditions inside the camp, the escapee painted a grim picture of widespread hunger, illness and poor hygiene among the captives. She said many children were suffering from painful skin rashes, while lice infestation was common among women and children.

According to her, children are often encouraged to drink large quantities of river water to suppress hunger. Women are occasionally escorted into the bush by armed captors to gather leaves, which are boiled and eaten. On some occasions, she said, captives survived for as long as five days on nothing but boiled leaves and water.

She further claimed that male captives are constantly restrained with bicycle chains and are sometimes taken into the bush to pluck mangoes, which are shared among those being held.

Personal hygiene is also severely restricted, with captives reportedly allowed to bathe only once every seven to ten days under armed supervision at nearby rivers.

The escapee described the conditions as degrading and inhumane, adding that many captives continue to endure severe physical and emotional suffering. She also hinted at other experiences she considered too sensitive to disclose publicly.

The latest account has renewed concerns over the fate of worshippers and other residents who remain in captivity nearly two months after the Easter attack on Ariko community.

Relatives of the victims and community leaders have continued to appeal to security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of those still being held.

The victims were abducted when armed bandits attacked worshippers during an Easter church service in Ariko community, an incident that sparked widespread condemnation across Kaduna State.