Love Marcus, a kidnapped resident of Gidan Waya community in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who gave birth in captivity has regained her freedom after the payment of ransom.
Mrs Marcus was abducted while heavily pregnant. The bandits also k!lled her husband during the attack.
Her testimony was shared on Friday, May 8, 2026 during a victims’ support and trauma counselling programme held in Kaduna for survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks across the state.
The programme, a two-day intervention tagged “The Rod and the Staff”, was organised by the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in partnership with Palace Alliance and held at ECWA Kaduna South DCC, Angwan Yelwa, Kaduna.
According to punch report, the gathering brought together clergy, survivors, and Christian leaders from the 23 local government areas of Kaduna State to provide emotional and spiritual support for victims of insecurity.
Speaking on her behalf, Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said Mrs Marcus was abducted alongside other villagers when armed men invaded her community.
He said her husband was k!lled during the attack, while she was taken away despite being pregnant.
“She was heavily pregnant when they took her. Her husband was killed in the attack. She was left in deep pain and confusion,” he narrated.
He added that the victims were marched through difficult terrain into the forest, where they were subjected to harsh conditions.
“She was struggling, and even when she could not walk fast, they kept pushing and beating her. Each time she fell, they beat her again despite her pregnancy,” he said.
According to him, the abductors demanded ransom from families of the victims, with negotiations stretching over several weeks.
He said about N40 million was initially paid before additional demands were made, raising the total to about N70 million, while extra logistics costs imposed on families pushed the figure to approximately N77 million before the victims were released.
It was also disclosed that two of the abducted persons died in captivity.
In one of the most disturbing revelations at the event, facilitators said Mrs Marcus gave birth inside the bandits’ camp before her eventual release.
“She gave birth in the camp by the grace of God,” one of the clerics said.
After their release, the victims were taken for medical treatment and psychological support as part of rehabilitation efforts.
However, Mrs Marcus continues to suffer severe emotional trauma, particularly as she now has to cope with the loss of her husband while raising a child born under captivity.
“Whenever she looks at the baby, she remembers her husband who is no more. She is going home to an empty place,” a facilitator said.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria and Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, Rev. Joseph Hayab, said Nigeria’s insecurity can be addressed if leaders demonstrate political will and communities cooperate.
He said the programme was designed to help victims heal and share their experiences.
“We brought victims and church leaders together to encourage them and help them recover through counselling and spiritual support,” he said.
