by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Armed terrorists have reportedly attacked Ungwan Atiku Village, in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, killing one person and abducting 11 others, including three nursing mothers and their infants.
Former media aide to the late Kaduna State Governor (Sir Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa), Reuben Buhari, disclosed the information in a post on his verified social media page.
According to Buhari, the attackers shot and killed one Mr. Joseph Simon before taking away 11 residents, in the accident that occurred on Sunday, June 28, in the area.
The abducted persons were identified as Deborah David and her infant, Rejoice Jonathan and her infant, Deborah Aminu and her infant, Loise Geoffrey, Gerard Geoffrey, Mercy Timothy, Jummai Sunday, and Wisdom Doctor.
The incident comes as 48 residents kidnapped in earlier attacks on Awon and Ariko communities remain in captivity, according to the source.
Buhari stated that 11 people abducted from Awon have spent 72 days in captivity, while 37 worshippers and other residents from Ariko have been held for 88 days. Survivors, who have escaped from captivity, reported harsh conditions in the camps.
A 65-year-old woman, who escaped after 54 days, said about 80 captives, including women, children and elderly persons were being held without footwear – in order to prevent them from escape.
She said captives survived on mangoes, boiled leaves and stream water, and that children were suffering from skin infections, while women and children had widespread lice infestations.
She also narrated how a pregnant woman delivered in captivity without medical personnel, with fellow captives assisting. One woman reportedly cut the baby’s umbilical cord with her teeth, and rainwater was later used to clean the mother and child.
“Some victims have recently regained freedom. Six school children, their driver and two other adults, who were abducted along the Akwando-Kachia Road, in April, were released after 36 days.
“They trekked for about six hours through the bush to reach their community, but missed almost an entire academic term,” according to reports.
Buhari called for the safe return of the victims, praying thus: “May freedom come to them sooner, and may healing come upon our land.”
Community leaders are urging the Federal and Kaduna State Governments to strengthen intelligence gathering, sustain rescue operations, and dismantle criminal camps in the region.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful, as the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.