A kidnap survivor, Aisha, has recounted how bandits in Zamfara State forced her to bury her three children after they died while in captivity according Tribune Online.
Aisha, who was abducted alongside her children while travelling through the state, said she was the only survivor from her family of four after enduring six months in captivity.
Bandit attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes continue to affect communities across Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states, with many residents facing killings, displacement and illegal levies imposed by armed groups.
Speaking in an interview, Aisha narrated how gunmen attacked the vehicle conveying her and other passengers before taking them into the forest.
“They suddenly opened fire, forcing our vehicle to stop. My three children and I, along with other passengers were abducted and taken into the forest,” she said.
She said she spent six months and five days in captivity, struggling with hunger, illness and emotional trauma as she watched her children die one after another.
According to her, the bandits regularly ordered captives to bury those who died while in their custody, including members of their own families.
“I was forced to bury every victim, who died in captivity including my own children, too. They first killed two of my children and then ordered me to bury them,” she said.
Aisha said her infant son later died from injuries allegedly inflicted by the abductors.
“My baby was sleeping beside my daughter when he died. Bandits wanted to feed his remains to their dogs, but I pleaded with them to allow me to bury him. They threw a spade at me and I buried my son myself.”
She said the painful memories of her children’s suffering remain deeply difficult to forget.
“My children constantly cried from hunger, thirst, pain and the beating they received from the bandits,” Aisha said.
Aisha explained that she eventually escaped from the forest under the cover of darkness after spotting a chance to flee.
“It was around midnight when we followed a route out of the forest. We spent three days trying to find our way out of Zamfara bush, before finally reaching a settlement,” she added.
She appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance following her escape.
“I am in urgent need of medical care and food support.”