•Survivors call for govt support after months of captivity
Three of the eight National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Akwa Ibom State, kidnapped in Zamfara, have recounted their traumatic experiences during their captivity.
The victims, who spent between two months to one year in the hands of their captors, shared their stories during an interview facilitated by the Founder of Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation, Matthew Koffi Okono.
The abduction occurred on August 17, 2023, when armed men set up a roadblock along Gusau road.
The corps members were forcibly taken into the bush, stripped of their belongings, and held for ransom. One survivor, Solomon, detailed the horrific conditions they endured, stating, “We were fed with grasses and drank flood water, spending weeks without proper food or water.”
Describing their living conditions, another survivor explained, “We slept on rice sacks under trees, seeking shelter from rain. The presence of wild animals added to our fear; we encountered snakes and scorpions regularly.”
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The group also detailed a particular traumatic incident when Solomon was singled out for punishment. “I was beaten, tortured, and chained, forced to endure severe conditions,” he recounted, displaying scars from the ordeal.
Another survivor, a female member, highlighted the communication barrier with their captors, noting that they often had to resort to sign language due to a lack of a common language. “It was difficult, and any perceived misstep could lead to severe beatings,” she said.
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Their rescue came on August 22, 2024, after military intervention, marking a year and five days of captivity. The corps members expressed gratitude to the military, the NYSC, and state officials for their roles in their release.
Post-rescue, the NYSC has offered the survivors options to continue their service or start anew.
However, the freed corps members have appealed for government employment to help them reintegrate into society. “We want to be employed to care for our families after the trauma we endured,” they urged.
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