Aisha, a kidnapping survivor from Zamfara State, has recounted the traumatic experience of being forced to bury her infant son after he died during their captivity under armed bandits.
According to a report by LEADERSHIP News published on Friday, June 19, 2026, Aisha shared her ordeal in an interview with DW Hausa, revealing that she was abducted alongside her three children while travelling in a vehicle in Zamfara State.
She said the vehicle was ambushed by armed men who took them into a forest, where they remained in captivity for six months and five days. During the period, they endured severe hardship, including hunger, illness, lack of water, and constant fear.
Aisha disclosed that the harsh conditions and violence in captivity led to the death of her infant son, who had sustained serious injuries. She said the bandits initially intended to feed the child’s remains to their dogs, but after she pleaded with them, they threw a spade at her and ordered her to bury him herself.
She added that she still suffers from the physical and emotional effects of the ordeal, including swollen feet caused by the harsh conditions she endured.
Aisha said the painful memories of her abduction and the suffering experienced by her and her children continue to haunt her, highlighting the persistent insecurity affecting communities in northern Nigeria.
