A pregnant woman abducted by bandits in Gidan Waya community, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mrs. Love Marcus, has regained her freedom after ransom was paid to her captors.
Mrs. Marcus was kidnapped during an attack on her community in which her husband was reportedly killed by the assailants.
Her ordeal was disclosed on Friday during a victims’ support and trauma counselling programme held in Kaduna for survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks.
The two-day programme, titled “The Rod and the Staff,” was organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in collaboration with Palace Alliance at ECWA Kaduna South DCC, Angwan Yelwa, Kaduna.
According to reports, the event brought together survivors, clergy and Christian leaders from the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State to provide emotional and spiritual support for victims affected by insecurity.
Speaking at the programme on behalf of Mrs. Marcus, Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said the woman was heavily pregnant when gunmen invaded the community and abducted several residents.
He disclosed that her husband was killed during the attack, while she was forcefully taken into captivity despite her condition.
Jerry further explained that the victims were forced to trek through forests under harsh conditions, adding that Mrs. Marcus was repeatedly beaten whenever she could not keep pace with the abductors because of her pregnancy.
He said negotiations for the release of the victims lasted several weeks after the kidnappers demanded huge ransom payments from their families.
According to him, about N40 million was initially paid before the kidnappers increased their demands, bringing the total ransom and related expenses to about N77 million before the captives regained freedom.
He also revealed that two of the abducted victims died while in captivity.
The cleric disclosed that Mrs. Marcus eventually gave birth inside the bandits’ camp before she was released.
Following their release, the victims were reportedly taken for medical attention and psychological rehabilitation.
It was learnt that Mrs. Marcus is still battling emotional trauma following the death of her husband and the painful memories associated with the birth of her baby in captivity.
A facilitator at the programme noted that the woman often remembers her late husband whenever she looks at the child born during the period of captivity.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria and Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said insecurity in the country could be tackled through strong political will and cooperation among citizens.
Hayab explained that the programme was organised to provide counselling, encouragement and emotional healing for victims of violent attacks and abductions.
