A pregnant woman and her three daughters were abducted from Ariko village in Kachia Local Government Area on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, and spent 180 days in captivity. The family was held by armed abductors in the forest, where the pregnant mother gave birth, but the newborn baby died about three weeks later. The captives endured severe hunger, exhaustion, and harsh conditions.
The mother and her surviving daughters finally escaped from the abductors' camp last Saturday and began a treacherous journey home. However, their freedom came at a devastating cost, as her four-year-old daughter, Christy, who was already ill, died during the long walk to safety. The mother had carried Christy on her back until exhaustion forced a change, and the 12-year-old sister took over the burden.
According to security analyst and former Kaduna governorship aide, Reuben Buhari, the woman and her daughters escaped from the camp and began trekking through the bush, weak, hungry, and exhausted. They trekked until nightfall and spent the night in the bush, resuming their journey the following day. Luka Ayuba, a community youth, said the survivors arrived in a community in Kachia Local Government Area, bringing an end to nearly six months of captivity.
Ayuba described the survivors as "critically ill, weak and completely exhausted," saying they had endured severe suffering before finally finding their way out of the forest. The community immediately mobilized to assist the survivors, providing immediate support and arranging for them to receive medical attention. The mother's condition and that of her surviving daughters were visibly affected by prolonged hunger, illness, and exposure to harsh conditions.
The family's return brought relief to residents, but the joy was overshadowed by the death of four-year-old Christy, who could not survive the journey out of the forest. Buhari said 33 other abductees from Ariko, including 11 people reportedly kidnapped from Awon village, were still being held by their captors. The Ariko attack itself began on Easter Sunday, a day when many residents had gathered in churches for worship, resulting in five deaths and 37 abductions.
The Concerned Ariko Youths described the incident as a tragic assault on innocent worshippers during a solemn period of reflection. The group said the abducted victims included two elderly blind men, women, children, nursing mothers, and entire families. Some of the women had lost their husbands during the attack and were taken away alongside their children, leaving affected families traumatized and uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.
For the survivors, the arrival at the hospital offered a measure of relief after six months of captivity, but their recovery was expected to be difficult. Beyond the immediate medical needs were the psychological scars of abduction, the loss of the newborn baby, and the death of Christy during the journey to freedom. The story of the woman and her daughters has drawn attention to the continued plight of abducted residents of Ariko and neighboring communities.
Key points
- The pregnant mother and her daughters were held captive for 180 days, enduring harsh conditions, hunger, and loss.
- The family's escape came at a devastating cost, as the four-year-old daughter, Christy, died during the journey to safety.
- 33 other abductees from Ariko, including 11 people from Awon village, remain in captivity.
