“I watched my mother die…” – Lady recounts the family’s heartbreaking 8-day ordeal in the kidnapper’s den

A Nigerian woman has shared the heartbreaking story of how she and her family were kidnapped while returning from a burial in Kogi State, only to discover that her mother had died in captivity after spending eight days in the kidnappers’ den.

According to her, in 2023, the family was attacked by four armed Fulani kidnappers while traveling home from their grandfather’s burial.

Their vehicle was riddled with bullets before crashing into bushes, after which they were robbed and driven deep into the forest.

Recounting the traumatic experience, she said the kidnappers demanded 20 million pounds and were barely given food or water throughout their captivity.

“They asked us for ₦20 million. We survived on cashews because they hardly gave us water. We stayed there for eight days and on the seventh day the worst thing happened. My mom collapsed while we were trekking. I kept praying but she passed away,” she said.

The lady revealed that despite her mother’s death, the kidnappers allegedly forced the remaining family members to continue trekking through the forest while beating her father repeatedly over the unpaid ransom.

She added that cash shortages in 2023 compounded their ordeal, as relatives struggled to raise physical money and the kidnappers refused to accept bank transfers.

“Before they let us go, my dad begged them to show us where they left my mum’s body so we could go back and bury her. We marked the spot with leaves before they directed us towards the highway,” she added.

The emotional report left many Nigerians heartbroken, with many praying for the family and renewing calls for stronger action against kidnappings and insecurity across the country.