Three out of the eight kidnapped corps members from Akwa Ibom State, abducted in Zamfara on their way to begin the mandatory one-year national service, have shared their traumatic experiences. Before their rescue, they spent between two months and one year in captivity.
In an interview facilitated by the Founder of Open Forum Care for Humanity Foundation, Matthew Koffi Okono, the freed corps members (two males and one female) described enduring torture, being forced to eat grass, and drinking flood water for survival.
The incident occurred on August 17, 2023, along Gusau road in Zamfara. The kidnappers, some dressed in military camouflage, blocked the road with logs, forcing the vehicle to stop. The armed men then marched the passengers, including the driver, into the bush. Though three people managed to escape, the rest were held captive.
Life in Captivity
The captives lived in the open forest without shelter, sleeping on rice sacks. Whenever it rained, they sought cover under tree shades. The captors stayed with them, awaiting ransom payments while the victims longed for freedom. Encounters with wildlife like snakes, scorpions, and bush dogs added to the ordeal. The captors would shoot to scare off the animals.
“Stubbornness” Led to Separation
One victim, Solomon, was singled out and taken to Kaduna because he was deemed the most “stubborn” after telling the captors there was no money for his ransom. For weeks, he was deprived of food and water, tortured, and forced to eat grass. Transported on a motorcycle through the bush, he was kept in isolation for almost a year, enduring beatings, illness, and lack of medical care.
Survival and Rescue
Solomon recalled losing hope at times but maintained his faith. On August 22, 2024, after one year and five days in captivity, he was rescued by the military in Kaduna. The female corps member gained freedom in October 2023 after two months in the forest. She described similar hardships, including limited access to water, inadequate clothing, and a language barrier that made communication difficult.
Government and NYSC Support
Following their release, the government and NYSC intervened, paying arrears of their monthly allowances and offering the option to continue or restart their service. The abductees chose to continue, having already suffered so much. They have since received their discharge certificates.
A Plea for Employment
The freed corps members are appealing to the federal and Akwa Ibom state governments to offer them employment, citing the trauma they endured and the need to move forward with their lives. “We don’t want to stay idle at home. We need to support our families,” they said.