Twenty-seven-year-old Maimuna Babangida, who was abducted on January 5 from Kadage community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, has narrated her harrowing ordeal in captivity, where she was denied medical care despite being eight months pregnant and severely ill.
In an interview with The PUNCH, Babangida recounted that the attack took place at about 9:30 p.m., at a time when most residents had retired for the night, unaware that danger was imminent.
“That night, we suddenly heard gunshots. People began screaming and running in different directions. Before we understood what was happening, the bandits had surrounded the entire community,” she said.
Babangida disclosed that she was abducted alongside her four children — Bilki, Safiya, Salim, and Aisha — as well as 29 other residents. The victims were taken deep into the forest, where they were forced to trek for long hours through dense bushes, often without footwear, further worsening their already fragile health conditions.
She said her pregnancy and illness did not attract any sympathy from her captors, as she went through the entire 13-day ordeal without receiving medical attention.
“Throughout my 13 days in captivity, I received no medical attention, despite being heavily pregnant and extremely weak,” she said.
According to Babangida, conditions in the bandits’ camp were degrading and emotionally draining, with captives subjected to hunger and poorly prepared meals as they struggled to survive in inhumane circumstances.
“Feeding was a serious problem. The way food was given to us was degrading. I cried almost every day, especially seeing my children suffer. I would not wish this experience on anyone.
“When it was time for me to give birth, the bandits offered no help. They were just looking at me. I delivered with the assistance of fellow captives who were also frightened and helpless,” she said.
During her captivity, Babangida went into labour and delivered a baby boy, later named Abubakar. Both mother and child were left without any form of medical attention, placing them in a fragile and high-risk condition.
Following her release, Babangida urged the government and security agencies to step up rescue operations, voicing grave concern for her children and other residents who remain in the custody of the abductors.
According to The PUNCH, Kurmin Wali, Ungwan Gamu, and Maro are rural settlements within Kajuru Local Government Area, a region that has repeatedly experienced attacks linked to banditry and kidnapping in Southern Kaduna. The area’s expansive forests and challenging terrain have, over the years, provided armed groups with cover to establish camps and launch coordinated assaults on surrounding communities.
Findings by The PUNCH revealed that the attackers encountered little resistance during the latest incident. On Sunday, they reportedly stormed three churches while worship services were ongoing and later withdrew freely into nearby forest areas, reflecting a recurring pattern of attacks in the region.
Further complicating rescue efforts, the abductors were said to have contacted community leaders, demanding the return of 17 motorcycles allegedly recovered during recent military operations. The demand underscored the continued influence armed groups exert over vulnerable rural communities.
Although the Kaduna State Government and the police initially denied reports of the abductions, security agencies later acknowledged that the incident had occurred. The confirmation sparked public anger and renewed scrutiny of the state’s early-warning systems and the effectiveness of its rapid-response security framework. See More
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