Residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who recently regained their freedom after spending about three months in captivity have shared disturbing accounts of their experience in the hands of terrorists.
The victims, who were among hundreds abducted during an earlier attack on the community, described severe hardship, including starvation, lack of proper shelter, limited access to water, and the deaths of several children during their captivity.
Survivors said they were largely fed on guinea corn once daily throughout the period they were held. According to them, meals were sometimes prepared by the captives themselves using provisions supplied by their abductors, while in other cases they were left without any accompanying food items.
One of the freed victims explained that they survived under extremely difficult conditions, sleeping on bare ground in mountainous terrain with very little access to clean water. She also confirmed that several children died due to illness while in captivity.
Another survivor alleged that food supplies were occasionally brought into the camp, suggesting that the group may have had access to external supply networks or hidden sources of food production.
Some of the victims further claimed that shortly before their release, a group of teenage boys was separated from the main group and taken away by the abductors. They alleged that the boys, believed to be between 13 and 17 years old, were retained at another location.
A freed captive also stated that their release process did not involve any direct military confrontation, noting that the abductors eventually moved them down from the mountainous area before leaving them behind to find their way to security personnel.
There were also claims that several large bags were brought into the terrorists’ camp shortly before the victims were freed, though the contents were not confirmed by those who saw them.
However, state authorities have denied allegations that any ransom was paid to secure the release of the captives, insisting that the rescue operation was the result of coordinated intelligence and military action supported by security agencies.
Officials maintained that no financial exchange took place and credited security forces and supporting groups for the successful rescue of the victims.
In addition, the state leadership praised security agencies and volunteer forces for their role in ongoing operations across the region, while also confirming that hundreds of abducted residents have gradually regained their freedom in phases over time.
Meanwhile, attention has also shifted to another case in a different community where dozens of schoolchildren remain in captivity. Community leaders and representatives have expressed deep concern over the situation, appealing for urgent action to secure the release of the children, who have reportedly been held for weeks without communication from their abductors.
They urged those responsible for the abductions to release the victims unconditionally, stressing that children should not be used as bargaining tools under any circumstances.
