Fatima Mohammed, one of the 145 rescued abductees from Woro, Kwara State, handed over to the Niger State Government by the Federal Government, has recounted the harrowing conditions she and others endured during six months in the captivity of terrorists.
Speaking after her rescue, Fatima said they spent six months and two weeks in captivity, where they were subjected to severe hardship and deprived of necessities.
“I am very excited because I am going to be reunited with my family again,” she said.
According to her, the abductees had no freedom of movement and were forced to sleep in the open throughout their captivity, regardless of the weather.
“There were no rooms to sleep in. We slept in the open, even when it was raining. We did not have clothes to change. Whenever our clothes got soaked by the rain, they dried on our bodies because we had nothing else to wear,” she recalled.
Fatima added that the victims also suffered from inadequate food and other harsh living conditions while in captivity.
Another rescued victim, 17-year-old Isyaka Ahmed, said he was threatened with death after attempting to escape from the terrorists.
He described hunger and physical stress as the greatest challenges they faced throughout their ordeal.
“They threatened to kill me when I tried to escape,” he said, adding that some boys are still being held by the terrorists.
Despite the traumatic experience, Isyaka expressed joy at being reunited with his family.
Receiving the rescued abductees on behalf of the Niger State Governor, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Sani Dantoro, described the occasion as a day of celebration for the emirate.
“Today is like a Sallah day in our kingdom,” the traditional ruler said, expressing gratitude over the safe return of the victims.
