At least 13 captives died and 12 children remained in the custody of terrorists during nearly six months of captivity following the February 3 attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, survivors have revealed.
The victims, who were among 176 women and children abducted during the attack, made the disclosure in Ilorin on Friday after they were formally received by the Kwara State Government.
The survivors described months of hunger, exposure and deprivation in the forest, saying they were often fed only once a day and initially slept in the open without shelter.
The abductees regained their freedom on Wednesday after spending nearly six months in captivity.
The terrorists, believed to be members of Boko Haram, reportedly invaded Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities on motorcycles after residents rejected their extremist ideology.
The attackers allegedly killed scores of residents and destroyed homes, shops and the palace of the traditional ruler before abducting the women and children.
One of the survivors, Nafisat Abdulfatai, said the captives initially slept in the open forest, including during rainfall, until the deaths of several children prompted the terrorists to construct a makeshift shelter.
“We slept inside the thick bush. The first rainfall came while we were completely exposed, and it ended while we were still there,” she said.
According to her, about 76 additional captives from another settlement were later brought to join the 176 abducted from Woro, worsening the already difficult living conditions.
She said the captives were forced to sleep under a temporary structure made from trampoline material because there was not enough space for everyone.
“When there was no rain, we preferred to sleep under the trees beside the river. That was where we slept, woke up every morning and spent our days,” she said.
Pregnant women lost babies
Abdulfatai said the ordeal was particularly devastating for pregnant women and nursing mothers among the captives.
She disclosed that between six and seven women gave birth while in captivity, but some lost their babies.
“There were pregnant women and nursing mothers among us. Some women gave birth in captivity but lost their babies. About six or seven women experienced that tragedy, while others returned with their babies,” she said.
She added that some of the rescued victims remained seriously ill and were receiving medical treatment.
“We are all affected, but some are in much worse condition,” she said.
Abdulfatai also disclosed that 13 captives died during the period of captivity, while 12 children remained behind in the terrorists’ camp.
She said the children refused to leave because the terrorists had threatened to enslave anyone who attempted to escape
.
“Out of fear, the children agreed to remain behind. Two of them were specifically forced to stay because the terrorists believed they were old enough,” she said.
“In truth, those children were compelled to remain. We pray that God will also bring them back safely.”
‘We ate once a day’
The survivor said the captives were not routinely beaten but endured severe hunger and deprivation.
According to her, their meals were often prepared with little more than salt, with many surviving on a local soup known as ‘luru’.
“We were not allowed to eat what we wanted. Most days, we ate only once. Our meals were prepared with only salt—there was no oil or other ingredients,” she said.
“There were days when we had nothing to eat from morning until night. Sometimes, our only meal came around 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. The suffering was unimaginable.”
She recalled that the terrorists briefly provided better food about a month after the captives arrived in the forest, when they slaughtered two cows daily for five consecutive days.
A total of 10 cows were slaughtered during the period, she said, with two additional cows slaughtered shortly before their release.
The terrorists also gave each captive two yards of cloth on two occasions, Abdulfatai said, but the gestures did little to ease their suffering.
‘I never thought I would see my family again’
Abdulfatai said she had lost hope of ever returning home or seeing her family again.
“Alhamdulillah. I never believed I would see my parents, my husband and my children again,” she said.
She said the prolonged captivity had also left many children orphaned, adding that she was grateful that her husband survived.
“I thank God that I came out alive and that my husband survived. I especially appreciate our families because I know they suffered even more emotionally while we were in captivity,” she said.
She also thanked Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his role in the victims’ return.
Another survivor, Nafisat Yusuf, described the months in captivity as a period of unimaginable suffering.
“We suffered beyond words. The terrorists subjected us to terrible hardship. Many children died while we were there. The suffering was indescribable,” Yusuf said.
She said the captives regularly prayed for their freedom and expressed gratitude after they were finally rescued.
Yusuf said soldiers were responsible for evacuating them from the forest, although the victims did not know the identities of the personnel involved.
“It was soldiers who came to bring us out of the forest, but we do not know the names of those who rescued us. We are simply grateful that they came,” she said.
Recalling the February 3 attack, Yusuf said the assault happened so suddenly that she did not know what happened in the communities after the captives were taken away.
“They came for us on February 3. All I know is that they stormed the community and abducted us. Whatever happened in the village after we were taken, I did not witness it,” she said.
She added that although the captors occasionally provided food and other basic items, the conditions remained unbearable.
“They gave us food at times and provided a few basic things, but the level of suffering we experienced cannot be described. Some of us cried every day, while many others remained sick throughout our stay,” she said.
“We simply thank God that we have finally regained our freedom.”
Source: Saturday Punch.
