Kaduna Woman Gives Birth in Bandits’ Captivity After 58 Days in Kidnappers’ Camp

By Tgnews Reporter

A woman abducted alongside other worshippers during an Easter church service in Ariko village has reportedly given birth while in captivity, highlighting the worsening humanitarian conditions faced by dozens of victims who have spent nearly two months in a bandits’ camp.

The woman was among a group of women, children and men kidnapped during the attack on the village and has remained in captivity for 58 days. According to an eyewitness who recently escaped from the camp after trekking through the bush for three days, the woman delivered her baby under extremely difficult conditions due to severe hunger and lack of medical care.

The former captive said the expectant mother was already ill when labour began and was weakened by prolonged malnutrition. With no access to healthcare, other women in the camp who had experience with traditional childbirth assisted in the delivery.

According to the account, the women gathered pieces of worn clothing, which had not been washed since their abduction, to wrap the newborn after birth.

The situation became more challenging when the kidnappers reportedly refused to provide any sharp object to cut the baby’s umbilical cord. After waiting for about an hour, one of the women allegedly resorted to using her teeth to sever the cord.

The women also pleaded for water to clean both mother and child, but the request was reportedly denied. The witness claimed the bandits refused to allow them access to a nearby stream and dismissed concerns about the child’s survival.

Despite the conditions, the newborn survived the first days after birth. The witness said that when she left the camp five days later, the baby was still alive, although part of the umbilical cord remained attached.

She further described dire living conditions in the camp, including widespread hunger, poor hygiene and untreated illnesses. According to her, many children and women suffer from skin infections, while lice infestations have become common among captives.

The witness said children are often encouraged to drink large quantities of river water to suppress hunger, while women are sometimes escorted into surrounding bushes to gather leaves, which are boiled and eaten as meals.

She recalled instances where captives survived for up to five days on nothing but boiled leaves and water.

The escaped woman also alleged that male captives are routinely restrained with bicycle chains and are only occasionally taken into the bush to gather fruits such as mangoes, which are shared among the hostages.

She further claimed that bathing opportunities are rare, occurring only once every seven to ten days, under the watch of armed captors.

Families of the victims continue to appeal for urgent intervention to secure the release of those still being held, particularly women and children facing worsening humanitarian conditions in captivity.

The plight of the captives has renewed calls for intensified security operations and humanitarian support for communities affected by banditry and mass abductions across the country.