How A Kidnap Victim Walked Three Days To Freedom After 54 Days In Captivity
A 65-year-old woman has recounted her remarkable journey to freedom after escaping from a kidnappers' camp where she spent 54 days in captivity.
The account was shared on Facebook by Reuben Buhari, a former media aide to the late Governor Patrick Yakowa, following hours of conversations with the survivor.
According to Buhari, the woman escaped around 10 p.m. after the guard assigned to her section of the camp fell asleep. Barefoot and weakened by weeks of hardship, she seized the opportunity and fled into the darkness.
The survivor revealed that kidnappers deliberately prevented captives from wearing shoes to discourage escape attempts. She estimated that about 80 victims; men, women, and children were being held at the camp at the time. As some hostages secured their freedom through ransom payments, new victims were continually brought in, while others died or were killed.
She described the severe punishments meted out to those who attempted to escape. Some, she said, were executed, while others were brutally flogged and had their legs broken. In some cases, melted plastic from burning bottles was dripped onto victims' legs, causing deep burns that extended to the bone.
The woman also recounted the harsh conditions faced by male captives. According to her, men were frequently chained, beaten, and restricted in their movements. Many reportedly suffered from dysentery due to poor nutrition and inadequate sanitation. They were also forced to clean the kidnappers' motorcycles and bury fellow captives who died or were killed.
Despite heavy rain and extreme exhaustion, the woman continued her escape. Hunger, illness, and injuries from walking barefoot quickly became major challenges. She survived by eating fallen mangoes and drinking water from streams.
During her journey, thorns and sharp objects repeatedly pierced her feet. At one point, she stepped on a sharp stump that caused severe injuries. Using a piece of her wrapper as a bandage, she continued walking even as blood flowed from her wounds.
She spent nights sleeping under trees and navigated by following the direction of the rising sun, believing it would lead her back toward her community. Along the way, she reported seeing armed cattle herders moving rapidly with livestock and hearing the sounds of motorcycles believed to belong to bandits.
A significant obstacle emerged on the second day when she encountered a deep river she could not cross. Forced to rest on its bank, she woke the following morning to discover that an animal had eaten the mangoes she had saved for food. However, by then she had begun to recognize familiar terrain and realized she was close to the Gurara Dam area.
On the third day, after surviving on mangoes and stream water alone, she reached a village whose residents had an understanding with the bandits operating in the area. Villagers reportedly sheltered her, provided fresh clothing and food, and helped escort her through neighboring communities until she reached her home.
She was subsequently taken to a health facility in Kateri, where medical workers used pliers to remove numerous thorns and other objects embedded in her feet. She was later transferred to Kaduna for further treatment.
Buhari said the condition of the woman's feet reflected the immense suffering she endured during her ordeal and escape.
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