The 183 victims recently rescued from bandits in Kaduna State have shared chilling accounts of the weeks they spent in captivity, describing a life marked by hunger, fear, and repeated abuse.
Speaking after their release, several of the victims revealed that they were held in harsh conditions, with little or no food and clean water. Many said they survived on small portions of food given intermittently by their captors, while others recounted being beaten or threatened daily to instill fear and force compliance. The psychological trauma, they said, was as painful as the physical suffering, as they lived each day uncertain of their fate.
The victims, who include women and children, were abducted from various communities across Kaduna during a series of attacks linked to armed groups operating in the state. Their rescue followed coordinated efforts by security agencies after weeks of intelligence gathering and negotiations.
Governor Uba Sani, while receiving the freed captives, expressed relief at their safe return and sympathised with them over the traumatic experience. He assured them that the Kaduna State Government would not abandon them to deal with the aftermath alone.
According to the governor, the state has put in place plans for immediate medical care, psychological counselling, and rehabilitation programmes to help the victims reintegrate into society. He also pledged to support displaced families and ensure that affected communities receive relief materials and other forms of assistance.
Governor Sani reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Kaduna, announcing that new security measures are being implemented to prevent future abductions. These include strengthening collaboration with security agencies, improving local intelligence networks, and supporting community-based security initiatives.
He warned criminal elements that the state would not relent in its efforts to dismantle bandit camps and restore peace, stressing that the safety of residents remains a top priority.
As the victims begin the long journey to recovery, many residents have called on both the state and federal governments to sustain the fight against banditry and address the root causes of insecurity, so communities can live without fear of future attacks.
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