A woman and her three daughters abducted by suspected bandits from Ariyo Community in Kaduna State’s Kachia Local Government Area have regained their freedom after spending 180 days in captivity.
The victims were among several residents kidnapped during an attack on the community over the Easter period, an incident that reportedly claimed the lives of a number of villagers.
According to reports, the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N1 billion before eventually releasing the captives.
The development was confirmed by Reuben Buhari, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the late Kaduna State Governor, Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa, in a post shared on his verified Facebook page.
Buhari revealed that the woman was pregnant when she was abducted alongside her daughters, aged four, six and 12.
He recalled that the woman had given birth while in captivity under extremely difficult conditions, adding that the newborn baby died three weeks later.
“Do you remember the woman from Ariko village who gave birth in the kidnappers’ den, and someone had to use her teeth to cut the umbilical cord? You remembered the child died after three weeks? Well, she is free now. She came out with her three remaining daughters after 180 days of captivity,” he wrote.
He disclosed that the woman’s youngest daughter, identified as Christy, became seriously ill before their release, with her condition worsening during the journey home.
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According to Buhari, the child was carried by her mother and older sister as the family trekked barefoot through the bush.
He said Christy eventually died during the journey, but her grieving mother and sisters continued carrying her body until they reached a village in Kachia Local Government Area, where residents came to their aid.
“They walked until it grew dark, and then they slept in the bush. In the morning, they continued their walk. But while they were walking, Christy, the sick four-year-old, died,” he wrote.
Buhari said the survivors are currently receiving medical treatment and support before being reunited with their families.
He added that several other victims from Ariyo and neighbouring communities remain in captivity.