By Frontline Reporters
Residents of Ngoshe community in Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno State who recently regained their freedom after spending three months in terrorist captivity have narrated the traumatic experiences they endured, including starvation, harsh living conditions, illness, and the deaths of children.
Speaking to Frontline Reporters in Pulka on Monday, several of the freed captives recounted how they survived on meagre meals, slept on bare rocks, and struggled with inadequate access to water while held in a remote terrorist enclave.
The victims were among the 416 residents, mostly women and children, abducted during a terrorist raid on Ngoshe on March 4, 2026. About 360 of them were recently freed.
One Meal a Day
One of the released captives, Halima Musa, revealed that the abductees survived largely on guinea corn provided by their captors.
“We ate only guinea corn once a day. If you ate around 2 p.m., you had to wait until the following day before eating again. Sometimes there was no soup. We cooked the food ourselves; they only supplied the ingredients,” she said.
According to her, the captives slept on bare ground atop a mountain and had very limited access to drinking water.
She disclosed that six children—two boys and four girls—died during captivity after falling ill.
Suspected Terrorist Supply Network
Another victim, who requested anonymity, alleged that the terrorists appeared to operate a structured food distribution system.
“I noticed that some people regularly brought food supplies. Part of the food was kept there while the rest was taken to other terrorist camps. From the pattern of distribution, I suspected they might have farms or supply bases elsewhere,” the source said.
Teenagers Allegedly Retained as Fighters
Some of the freed victims alleged that 13 male teenagers were separated from the group shortly before their release and retained by the terrorists.
“They selected boys between the ages of 13 and 17 and took them away. About 13 boys were reportedly kept behind to serve as fighters,” one victim claimed.
Another survivor, Khadijat, said there was no visible military confrontation during the process that led to their freedom.
“We did not see any soldiers while leaving. The terrorists escorted us down the mountain on motorcycles while we walked. At a certain point, they abandoned us, and we later found our way to security personnel,” she said.
She added that some of those released had spent as long as seven months in captivity.
“We met other victims who had been kidnapped months before us. Eleven of them had been there for seven months after being abducted while fishing. We were all released together,” she said.
Mystery of the Ghana-Must-Go Bags
Some of the survivors claimed that several Ghana-Must-Go bags were delivered to the terrorist hideout less than 24 hours before their release.
Aishat, one of the victims, said she observed between eight and nine new bags being transported to the mountain on motorcycles.
“They never told us whether any payment had been made, but before our release we saw about eight or nine Ghana-Must-Go bags brought to the mountain. I could not see what was inside, but it was the first time I had seen such bags there,” she said.
Aishat, however, stated that the women were not physically abused while in captivity.
“They separated the women from the men. We were not harassed,” she said.
Another survivor, Regene Simei, also claimed to have seen the bags.
“We lived among rocks on the mountain. I saw what looked like bags of money. There were about seven or eight bags, although it was difficult to count because they arrived quickly on motorcycles,” she alleged.
Borno Government Denies Ransom Payment
The Borno State Government has dismissed allegations that ransom was paid to secure the release of the captives.
The Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Usman Tar, insisted that the operation was intelligence-driven and successfully executed by the military with support from the Department of State Services (DSS).
“Who paid the ransom? To whom was it paid? Where is the evidence?” he queried.
“There was no ransom payment. A courageous military operation, supported by DSS intelligence, led to the rescue of the 360 citizens. That is the reality,” Tar stated.
Zulum Commends Tinubu, Security Agencies
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday visited the released victims in Pulka and praised President Bola Tinubu, the military, and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the captives’ freedom.
According to the governor, 357 victims were released in the latest operation, while others regained their freedom in smaller batches over recent months.
“I wish to express my deepest appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to restoring peace and stability in Borno State and across Nigeria,” Zulum said.
He also commended the Armed Forces, the Office of the National Security Adviser, the DSS, the Civilian Joint Task Force, forest guards, vigilantes, and hunters for their contributions.
Zulum disclosed that the total number of abducted residents who have now regained freedom stands at 434.
The governor further revealed that the state government has committed millions of naira to the rehabilitation of Ngoshe community and is working closely with security agencies to facilitate the safe return of displaced residents.
He directed the immediate distribution of food and non-food relief materials to the released victims, who are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support before reunification with their families and communities.
No Contact Yet With Abductors of 42 Schoolchildren
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, Abdullahi Askira, has disclosed that there has been no communication from the terrorists who abducted 42 schoolchildren from Mussa community in Askira/Uba Local Government Area.
The children, aged between two and 16 years, have remained in captivity for three weeks since their abduction.
Speaking at a press briefing in Maiduguri, Askira said neither the victims’ families nor community leaders had received any contact from the abductors.
“The children are between the ages of two and 16. As of today, and to the best of my knowledge, there has been no communication whatsoever from those holding them,” he said.
He appealed for the unconditional release of the children, describing their abduction as a cruel attack on innocent lives.
“These are children, not soldiers or politicians. They represent the future of Borno State and Nigeria. We urge their captors to fear God and release them unconditionally. Children should never be used as bargaining chips,” he pleaded.
Askira expressed concern over the prolonged captivity of the children, noting that community leaders had remained patient for three weeks, trusting that security agencies would secure their rescue.
“That patience is now giving way to deep anxiety as the days continue to pass without any positive development,” he said.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to ensure the safe return of the children and bring those responsible to justice.
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2026-06-08