Kaduna State, Nigeria, continues to grapple with severe insecurity, marked by rampant kidnappings and violent attacks on communities. Recent events highlight the harrowing experiences of residents, including pregnant women, who have been abducted, held for ransom, and subjected to extreme hardship.

One such deeply distressing account involves Mrs. Love Marcus, a resident of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area. Abducted while heavily pregnant, Mrs. Marcus tragically witnessed the killing of her husband during the initial attack by armed bandits. Her ordeal was shared on Friday, May 8, 2026, during a victims’ support and trauma counselling programme in Kaduna.

According to Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, who spoke on her behalf at the event, Mrs. Marcus and other villagers were subjected to brutal conditions. Despite her advanced pregnancy, she was forced to march through difficult terrain, frequently beaten and pushed, even after falling. Her captivity was compounded by deep pain and confusion following her husband's murder.

Negotiations for the victims' release stretched over weeks, with abductors initially demanding N40 million. Additional demands escalated the ransom to approximately N70 million, with extra logistics costs pushing the total payment to around N77 million. In a truly disturbing revelation, Mrs. Marcus gave birth inside the bandits’ camp before her eventual freedom. Tragically, two other abducted individuals died during their captivity.

Following her release, Mrs. Marcus received medical treatment and psychological support. However, she continues to suffer severe emotional trauma, particularly as she must now cope with the profound loss of her husband while raising a child born under such traumatic circumstances. A facilitator at the support program noted her ongoing pain, stating, “Whenever she looks at the baby, she remembers her husband who is no more. She is going home to an empty place.”

Another significant incident involved the abduction of a pregnant woman, a nursing mother, another woman, and her four children from the Sabon Gyero community in Millennium City, Chikun Local Government Area. This group spent approximately 50 days in captivity. The attack, which occurred four days before the end of Ramadan fast, also resulted in the death of a young man identified as Abdullahi Lawal, popularly known as “Kurma,” at a phone charging centre.

These victims regained their freedom on Thursday, May 7, 2026, amid jubilant reactions from Sabon Gyero residents. Investigations revealed that ransom money and motorcycles were allegedly delivered to the kidnappers after extensive negotiations. One of the pregnant women from this group had reportedly been released about three weeks prior, with the remaining victims following on May 7th. Neighboring communities like Dokan Mai-Jama’a, Kyauta, and Dan Hono II have also experienced repeated bandit attacks.

The Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, in partnership with Palace Alliance, organized the “The Rod and the Staff” programme to provide emotional and spiritual support for survivors across Kaduna State. Rev. Joseph Hayab, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative and Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, emphasized that Nigeria’s pervasive insecurity can only be effectively addressed through strong political will from leaders and enhanced community cooperation. He highlighted the program's role in helping victims heal and share their experiences, bringing together clergy, survivors, and Christian leaders.