Kidnapped Before Her Wedding, Freed Four Years Later—A Survivor’s Story- EkohotblogKidnapped Before Her Wedding, Freed Four Years Later

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Akilawus told Journalists that her nightmare began on October 19, 2020

A 30-year-old Kaduna-based lady, Fayina Akilawus, has recounted her four-year ordeal in the hands of kidnappers, revealing how they sexually exploited eight female abductees and planned to marry them.

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Akilawus told Journalists that her nightmare began on October 19, 2020, when she boarded a 14-seater bus heading to Adamawa. Armed bandits, about ten in number, intercepted the vehicle, shot the driver and a passenger, and forced the remaining passengers into the forest.

According to the victim, she was traveling to Adamawa to prepare for her December 2020 wedding.

“I was preparing for my wedding in December 2020 when the tragic incident happened. After spending a few months with the kidnappers, I pleaded with them to call my family and demand ransom, but they refused,” she recounted.

“Throughout my time in captivity, the kidnappers never contacted my family for ransom. As months passed, I became more anxious, not knowing their intentions. I repeatedly begged them to let me speak with my family so they would know I was alive, but they refused. I even asked them to demand ransom so I could be set free, but they declined.”

She added that, in the first month, victims were fed once daily. “You had to be quick, or the food would finish, as there were other captives.”

Akilawus recalled that some abductors attempted to assault her, but their commander intervened, warning them not to touch her. “However, whenever their leader was absent, they had their way.”

“During my menstrual periods, they avoided our hut, believing menstrual blood could weaken their charms. My first cycle after being kidnapped lasted ten days due to stress, but it later returned to normal.”

She described menstruation as her most painful experience. “Often, the blood dried on my body. I could only clean up when sent to fetch water from a nearby river.”

“For six months, I wore a single outfit until one of the bandits gave me another because my clothes were torn, leaving me nearly naked.”

Akilawus recounted her deep depression, constantly questioning if she would ever reunite with her family.

“There were eight young ladies among the captives, and the kidnappers planned to marry us. They frequently abducted people from their homes or highways—it was a terrifying experience.”

She revealed that the well-armed bandits communicated via walkie-talkies, especially when the military was in the area.

“After two years, they began trusting me. Sometimes, they sent me on errands alone. This gave me hope of escaping since they had no plans to release me and the other seven women.”

“In October 2024, one of them sent me to fetch water. I took the opportunity and fled, navigating my way to a main road, where kind strangers helped me reunite with my family.”