A nurse who recently regained her freedom after nearly six months in captivity has recounted the severe conditions endured by the abducted women and children, saying she helped 10 pregnant women give birth without gloves or proper medical equipment.
Amirah Salihu was among the victims abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Salihu, who is the daughter of the chief of Woro community, disclosed her experience during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
She said the captives faced acute food shortages and were forced to sleep in exposed locations, including near a river, where they were frequently drenched by rainfall.
According to her, the abductors often gave them little food, with guinea corn, salt and seasoning sometimes serving as their only meal.
The nurse said her professional training became crucial when some of the women went into labour during their captivity.
She explained that she assisted about 10 pregnant women to deliver their babies despite the absence of gloves and other essential medical supplies.
She said, “When the pregnant women started going into labour, I had to assist them. I helped about 10 women deliver their babies, even though I had no gloves or proper equipment.
“It was difficult, but I had to do what I could to help them survive and deliver safely.”
Salihu added that the abductors eventually discovered she was a nurse and attempted to persuade her to remain with them because of her medical knowledge.
She said she rejected the proposal because her priority was to regain her freedom and return to her family.
The rescued victim also recalled the killing of two of her brothers during the attack, alleging that the assailants targeted her family because of her father's opposition to their activities in the community.
She said her father had previously resisted attempts by the attackers to gain access to Woro and had sought military intervention to protect the residents.
According to her, the attackers struck when the soldiers were no longer present in the community.
Salihu further said the abductors justified their actions by claiming they wanted residents to abandon Nigeria's democratic system and follow their interpretation of religious laws.
However, when asked about sexual violence during the period, she said she was not aware of any rape or sexual assault among the captives.
The victims were part of the 176 women and children abducted during the February 3 attack on Woro and neighbouring Nuku.
They were released on Wednesday after spending almost six months with their abductors. The Kwara State Government later disclosed that 13 children had died in captivity, while 12 others were yet to return.
Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, received the freed victims in Ilorin and commiserated with families who lost loved ones.
He subsequently visited a hospital where 14 rescued victims were undergoing treatment, including three women who delivered babies while in captivity.
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