Freed Borno Captives Recount Hunger, Deaths in Terrorist Camp
Residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who recently regained their freedom after months in captivity have described the harsh conditions they endured while being held by terrorists.
The victims, who were among hundreds abducted during an attack on the community in March, said they survived on a single daily meal of guinea corn, slept on bare ground and had limited access to water throughout their stay.
One of the freed captives, Halima Musa, said the women were responsible for preparing meals supplied by their captors.
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According to her, food was usually served once a day and was sometimes eaten without soup.
She also disclosed that six children died in captivity after falling ill.
Other victims said they lived among rocks on a mountain and witnessed the deaths of several children during the period.
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Some of the freed residents further alleged that 13 teenage boys were separated from the group shortly before their release and taken away by the terrorists.
The victims claimed the boys, aged between 13 and 17, were retained to serve as fighters.
A number of the former captives also reported seeing several Ghana-Must-Go bags brought into the terrorists’ enclave less than a day before they regained their freedom.
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While they said they could not confirm the contents of the bags, they described the delivery as unusual because it was the first time they had seen such items transported to the camp.
One of the victims, Aishat, said the women were kept separately from the men and were not physically harassed during their captivity.
Another freed captive, Khadijat, said the group did not witness any military confrontation before their release.
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She explained that the terrorists escorted them down from the mountain on motorcycles before leaving them to continue their journey until they reached security personnel.
According to the victims, some of those released had spent as long as seven months in captivity before regaining their freedom.
The freed residents are currently receiving medical treatment and psychosocial support before being reunited with their families and communities.
