FREED FROM HELL: Borno Kidnap Victims Reveal Horror of Starvation, Child Deaths and Forced Recruitment in Terrorist Camp.

FREED FROM HELL: Borno Kidnap Victims Reveal Horror of Starvation, Child Deaths and Forced Recruitment in Terrorist Camp.

Residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who recently regained their freedom after months in terrorist captivity have recounted chilling experiences of hunger, suffering, death and fear deep inside insurgent hideouts hidden within the mountains of northern Borno.

The freed victims, mostly women and children, narrated how they survived on a single meal a day, slept on bare rocks, watched children die from sickness and witnessed teenage boys allegedly being separated for recruitment as fighters before their eventual release.

The victims spoke in separate interviews in Pulka on Monday, days after regaining freedom from their abductors following what the Borno State Government described as an intelligence-driven military rescue operation.

The captives were among the more than 416 residents abducted during a deadly terrorist invasion of Ngoshe community on March 4, 2026. While hundreds have now regained freedom in batches, several others are still feared missing.

For many of the survivors, freedom came with painful memories they may never forget.

“We Ate Only Once a Day”

One of the freed captives, Halima Musa, broke down in tears as she described how the victims battled severe hunger throughout their captivity.

According to her, the terrorists fed them mainly with guinea corn and often allowed them to eat only once every 24 hours.

“We survived on guinea corn throughout our stay there,” she said quietly.

“If food was prepared around 2 p.m., that would be the only meal for the day. We would then wait until the following day before eating again. Sometimes there was no soup at all. We cooked the food ourselves; they only provided the grains.”

Halima said the victims lived under extremely harsh conditions on a rocky mountain terrain where there was little shelter from the weather.

“We slept on bare ground among rocks on the mountain. Water was difficult to get, and many people became weak and sick because of hunger and stress,” she added.

The most heartbreaking part of her account was the death of six children while in captivity.

“Two boys and four girls died there after falling seriously ill. There was no proper treatment or medicine for them,” she said.

Her voice trembled as she recalled how helpless parents watched their children deteriorate daily without medical attention.

“They Took Teenage Boys Away”

Some of the victims also alleged that teenage boys among the captives were separated from the rest shortly before their release and retained by the terrorists.

One of the survivors, who asked not to be identified for security reasons, claimed that the abductors selected boys between the ages of 13 and 17.

“Before they released us, they picked about 13 boys from among the captives and took them away,” the source alleged.

“They said the boys would remain with them. We later understood they wanted to turn them into fighters.”

The allegation has raised fresh fears about the continued recruitment of minors by insurgent groups operating in the North-East.

Humanitarian workers and security experts have repeatedly warned that terrorist groups in the region often target vulnerable children and teenagers for indoctrination and armed activities.

“We Never Saw Soldiers”

Another freed victim, Khadijat, said contrary to rumours circulating in some quarters, she did not witness any gun battle or military confrontation during the process that led to their release.

According to her, the terrorists themselves escorted the captives down from the mountain before abandoning them near areas accessible to security forces.

“We did not see soldiers during the movement from the camp,” she explained.

“The terrorists rode motorcycles while we walked behind them. After some distance, they left us and ordered us to continue moving. That was when we later found soldiers.”

Khadijat disclosed that some captives they met in the camp had been held for much longer periods.

“We met people who had spent seven months there before us. Eleven of them were fishermen who had been abducted earlier. We all regained freedom together,” she added.

Mystery of the Ghana-Must-Go Bags

One of the most controversial revelations from the freed victims involved claims that several Ghana-Must-Go bags were delivered to the terrorists’ enclave shortly before their release.

A victim identified as Aishat claimed she saw between eight and nine newly packed bags being transported up the mountain by motorcycle riders less than 24 hours before they regained freedom.

“They never told us what was inside the bags,” she said.

“But before we came out, we saw many motorcycles bringing new Ghana-Must-Go bags to the camp. It was the first time I had seen such bags there.”

Another victim, Regene Simei, also claimed to have seen the bags.

“There were about seven or eight bags. They arrived very fast on motorcycles and were taken up the mountain,” she alleged.

The claims have intensified speculation over whether ransom payments may have been made to facilitate the captives’ release.

However, the victims admitted they never personally saw money being exchanged.

Despite the traumatic experience, Aishat claimed the women were not sexually assaulted during captivity.

“They separated the women from the men,” she said.

“We were not harassed physically.”

Borno Government Denies Paying Ransom

Amid widespread public speculation, the Borno State Government has strongly denied allegations that ransom was paid to secure the release of the captives.

The Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, dismissed the claims during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief programme on Monday.

Tar insisted that the operation which secured the freedom of the victims was carried out through coordinated intelligence efforts involving the military and the Department of State Services.

“Who paid the ransom? To whom was it paid? Where is the evidence?” he queried.

“There was no ransom payment. What happened was a daring military and intelligence-led operation supported by the DSS, and that led to the rescue of over 360 citizens.”

The government’s denial comes amid growing concerns over the increasing use of ransom negotiations by armed groups across parts of northern Nigeria.

Zulum Visits Freed Captives

Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday visited the released victims in Pulka, where many are currently receiving medical treatment, food support and psychosocial care.

The governor commended President Bola Tinubu, the military, intelligence agencies and local security volunteers for their roles in securing the victims’ freedom.

“I want to sincerely appreciate the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his continued support towards ensuring peace and stability in Borno State and across Nigeria,” Zulum stated.

The governor also praised the military, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, Civilian Joint Task Force members, vigilantes, forest guards and local hunters for their efforts.

According to him, the latest batch involved 357 released captives, while others had regained freedom earlier in smaller groups.

Zulum disclosed that the total number of abducted residents who have now regained freedom stands at 434.

He further announced that the state government had committed millions of naira toward the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Ngoshe community to enable displaced residents return home safely.

The governor directed emergency officials to distribute food items, clothing and other relief materials to the freed victims.

Health workers and trauma specialists are also currently supporting the victims before they reunite with their families.

Fresh Anxiety Over 42 Missing Schoolchildren

Meanwhile, tension continues to grow in another part of Borno State following the abduction of 42 schoolchildren from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.

The Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, disclosed that there has been no communication whatsoever from the abductors nearly three weeks after the incident.

Speaking during a press briefing in Maiduguri, Askira described the situation as deeply troubling and emotionally devastating for families and community members.

“The children are between the ages of two and 16 years,” he said.

“As of today, there has been no contact from those holding them.”

He passionately appealed to the abductors to release the children unconditionally.

“These are innocent children, not politicians or combatants. They are the future of Borno State and Nigeria. We urge those holding them to fear Almighty God and release them immediately,” he pleaded.

Askira said community leaders had initially remained calm because they trusted security agencies were working tirelessly to secure the children’s rescue.

“However, our patience has now turned into deep fear and anxiety as each passing day brings more uncertainty,” he added.

He called on security agencies to intensify rescue efforts and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

The latest incidents have once again highlighted the worsening security challenges facing communities in parts of northern Nigeria, where kidnappings, terrorist attacks and mass abductions continue to leave families traumatized and entire communities displaced.