(The victim, Mrs. Love Markus. Photo credit: Punch news)
A priest described how Mrs. Love Marcus, a resident of the Gidan Waya community in the Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was kidnapped when very pregnant, held captive, and gave birth before being freed after paying a ransom of approximately ₦77 million.
Her story was given on Friday during a trauma counseling and victim support program in Kaduna for victims of abduction and brutal assaults around the state.
The Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, in collaboration with Palace Alliance, organized the two-day intervention known as “The Rod and the Staff,” which took place at ECWA Kaduna South DCC, Angwan Yelwa, Kaduna.
Clergy, survivors, and Christian leaders from Kaduna State’s 23 local government areas came together to support victims of insecurity on an emotional and spiritual level.
Speaking on her behalf, Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan claimed that when armed men raided her town, Mrs. Marcus and other residents were kidnapped.
He claimed that although she was pregnant, she was carried away and her husband was slain during the assault.
“When they seized her, she was very pregnant. The assault claimed her husband’s life. He said, “She was left in excruciating pain and confusion.
The victims were marched across challenging terrain into the forest, where they endured horrific conditions, according to Fr. Jerry.
She was having difficulty walking quickly, but they continued to push and beat her. Despite her pregnancy, they continued to beat her every time she fell, he claimed.
He claims that after weeks of negotiations, the kidnappers wanted cash from the victims’ families.
He claimed that before further demands were made, about ₦40 million was paid, bringing the total to roughly ₦70 million. However, further logistical charges put on families caused the price to rise to about ₦77 million before the victims were freed.
Additionally, it was revealed that two of the kidnapped individuals perished while being held captive.
One of the event’s most unsettling disclosures was that, before to her final rescue, Mrs. Marcus gave birth inside the bandits’ camp.
One of the clergy said, “By the grace of God, she gave birth in the camp.”
The victims received medical care and psychological support as part of their rehabilitation after being freed.
But Mrs. Marcus still experiences great emotional trauma, especially now that she has to deal with her husband’s death and raise a kid who was born in captivity.
She is reminded of her deceased husband every time she stares at the infant. A facilitator remarked, “She is returning home to an empty place.”
Nigeria’s insecurity may be resolved if leaders show political will and communities work together, according to Rev. Joseph Hayab, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria and Chairman of the Northern Christian Association, who spoke at the event.
According to him, the initiative was created to assist victims in sharing their stories and healing.
He explained, “We brought victims and church leaders together to encourage them and help them recover through counseling and spiritual support.”
Hayab bemoaned how farming and commercial activity have been severely hampered by insecurity in many rural areas.
“Farmers are not going to farm because of the crisis, people are not living good lives anymore, and many have completely given up,” he stated.
He insisted that peace could be restored by joint action and asked Nigerians not to give up.
“To put an end to this evil, we must work together as churches, security agencies, and government,” he continued.
With frequent attacks, kidnappings, ransom payments, and fatalities in rural areas, Kaduna continues to be one of the states in North-West Nigeria most severely affected by banditry and kidnapping.
