A clergyman has recounted how a resident of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mrs Love Marcus, was abducted while heavily pregnant, and was held in captivity where she later gave birth before her release following the payment of about ₦77 million ransom.

Her testimony was shared on Friday during a victims’ support and trauma counselling programme held in Kaduna for survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks across the state.

The programme, a two-day intervention tagged “The Rod and the Staff”, was organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in partnership with Palace Alliance and held at ECWA Kaduna South DCC, Angwan Yelwa, Kaduna.

The gathering brought together clergy, survivors, and Christian leaders from the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State to provide emotional and spiritual support for victims of insecurity.

Speaking on her behalf, Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said Mrs Marcus was abducted alongside other villagers when armed men invaded her community.

He said her husband was killed during the attack, while she was taken away despite being pregnant.

“She was heavily pregnant when they took her. Her husband was killed in the attack. She was left in deep pain and confusion,” he said.

Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry addressing journalists on behalf of Mrs. Love Marcus. Photo: Godwin Isenyo

Fr. Jerry added that the victims were marched through difficult terrain into the forest, where they were subjected to harsh conditions.

“She was struggling, and even when she could not walk fast, they kept pushing and beating her. Each time she fell, they beat her again despite her pregnancy,” he said.

According to him, the abductors demanded ransom from families of the victims, with negotiations stretching over several weeks.

He said about ₦40 million was initially paid before additional demands were made, raising the total to about ₦70 million, while extra logistics costs imposed on families pushed the figure to approximately ₦77 million before the victims were released.

It was also disclosed that two of the abducted persons died in captivity.

In one of the most disturbing revelations at the event, facilitators said Mrs Marcus gave birth inside the bandits’ camp before her eventual release.

“She gave birth in the camp by the grace of God,” one of the clerics said.

After their release, the victims were taken for medical treatment and psychological support as part of rehabilitation efforts.

However, Mrs Marcus continues to suffer severe emotional trauma, particularly as she now has to cope with the loss of her husband while raising a child born under captivity.

“Whenever she looks at the baby, she remembers her husband who is no more. She is going home to an empty place,” a facilitator said.

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 Nigeria’s insecurity can be addressed if leaders demonstrate political will and communities cooperate.

He said the programme was designed to help victims heal and share their experiences.

“We brought victims and church leaders together to encourage them and help them recover through counselling and spiritual support,” he said.

Hayab lamented that insecurity had crippled farming and economic activities in many rural areas.

“Because of the crisis, farmers are not going to farm, people are not living good lives anymore, and many have completely given up,” he said.

He urged Nigerians not to lose hope, insisting that collective action could restore peace.

“We must work together as churches, security agencies, and government to bring an end to this evil,” he added.

Kaduna remains one of the worst-hit states by banditry and kidnapping in North-West Nigeria, with recurring attacks, abductions, ransom payments, and loss of lives in rural communities.

The PUNCH)

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