According to a report by Daily Trust on Thursday, June 18, 2026, a kidnap victim identified simply as Aisha has narrated the painful experience she endured in the hands of bandits in Zamfara State, revealing how she was forced to bury her own children and several other captives who died while in captivity.
Her account sheds light on the severe hardships faced by victims of banditry in parts of Northwestern Nigeria, where criminal gangs continue to carry out abductions and attacks on communities.
Aisha’s story reflects the devastating human cost of insecurity in the region, where many families have been torn apart by violence and prolonged captivity.
Zamfara, Katsina and Sokoto states remain among the areas most affected by banditry in Northwestern Nigeria.
For years, residents of communities across the three states have lived under the threat of attacks, kidnappings and other violent crimes carried out by armed groups.
Many villages have experienced repeated assaults, forcing residents to flee their homes and seek safety elsewhere.
In some communities, bandits have reportedly imposed levies on residents and maintained a strong presence, creating a climate of fear and uncertainty for affected populations.
Speaking during an interview with DW Hausa, Aisha recounted the circumstances that led to her abduction.
According to her, she was travelling in a vehicle alongside her three children when they were intercepted and taken away by bandits in Zamfara State.
The journey that began as a routine trip quickly turned into a nightmare that would last for more than six months.
During that period, she and other captives were subjected to difficult living conditions, with little access to basic necessities needed for survival.
The victim, whose swollen feet still bear evidence of the physical toll of captivity, disclosed that she spent six months and five days in the custody of the bandits.
Throughout that time, she endured severe hunger, thirst and illness while struggling to stay alive.
The harsh conditions in the camp affected many captives, some of whom reportedly died due to sickness and deprivation.
For Aisha, however, the suffering was compounded by the loss of her children, making her ordeal even more traumatic.
Aisha said she was the only survivor among the four members of her family who were abducted.
She watched helplessly as tragedy unfolded before her eyes, losing all three of her children during their time in captivity.
Beyond coping with her own grief, she was reportedly forced by the bandits to carry out the burial of those who died in the camp.
According to her account, the responsibility of burying deceased captives was imposed on her by the kidnappers, leaving her to perform the heartbreaking task repeatedly under coercion.
She said, “I was forced to bury every victim, who died in captivity including my own children, too. They first killed two of my children and then ordered me to bury them.”
