A heartbreaking tragedy has emerged from the ongoing abduction of worshippers in Kaduna State, as one of the kidnapped victims reportedly lost her newborn baby after giving birth while in captivity.
The victim, identified as Victoria Simeon, a 28-year-old woman among the 37 worshippers abducted in April, reportedly lost her infant due to the harsh conditions inside a forest camp used by the kidnappers.
According to reports, the baby was born on May 7 inside the kidnappers’ hideout located in Rijana Forest along the Abuja–Kaduna Expressway.
The abductees have reportedly remained in captivity for over two months since they were kidnapped from churches in the Ariko Community area of Kachia Local Government Area.
A community resident involved in negotiations with the abductors, David Ariko, said the newborn died after being exposed to severe weather conditions in the forest.
“The woman who gave birth lost the baby due to extreme weather events,” Ariko reportedly said.
He also disclosed that the captives have allegedly been denied adequate food and basic humanitarian support throughout their ordeal.
According to reports, the abductors are still demanding ₦1 billion alongside 35 motorcycles as ransom before releasing the victims.
Disturbing details emerging from the camp indicate that Victoria Simeon reportedly gave birth while her legs were chained.
Sources also alleged that the kidnappers denied her basic necessities, including clothes for the baby and water needed to clean herself and the child after delivery.
The abductees were reportedly left exposed in the open forest without proper shelter or protection from harsh weather conditions since their abduction.
The incident has sparked outrage and sorrow among Nigerians, especially after previous claims by the Nigerian Army suggesting that the victims had been rescued were reportedly disputed by residents and relatives of the captives.
Community members allegedly insisted that their loved ones were still being held, despite pressure to confirm the rescue claims.
In one of the videos reportedly released by the kidnappers, the armed group accused members of the community of assisting security forces in identifying and targeting herders.
The abductors allegedly claimed that the victims were kidnapped in retaliation for what they described as collaboration with soldiers.
As conditions worsen, the kidnappers are reportedly demanding 20 units of a motorcycle brand locally nicknamed “Boko Haram,” 15 Bajaj motorcycles and ₦1 billion before considering the release of the captives.
The victims have now spent about 53 days in captivity since they were abducted on April 5, raising growing concerns about the worsening insecurity crisis in parts of northern Nigeria.