A group of former National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members from Akwa Ibom State have described their harrowing experience after being abducted on the Zamfara highway, according to news reported by Vanguard. On August 17, 2023, these young graduates were kidnapped by gunmen while travelling to Sokoto for their NYSC orientation.👉 For More READ FULL CONTENT FROM THE SOURCE ↔️
The victims were held in captivity under harsh conditions, with one of them, Solomon Daniel, only released in August 2024 after enduring a year of imprisonment. They suffered severe torture and had little access to basic necessities such as food and water.
Victoria Bassey, one of the female survivors, shared her ordeal, describing the inhumane treatment they received. “We couldn’t even bathe during our menstrual periods. We drank floodwater to stay alive,” she said. The conditions they lived in were unbearable, and they had to rely on whatever they could find to survive.
Solomon Daniel, who was held the longest, explained how he survived by chewing leaves and drinking dirty water. He was separated from his colleagues because his family could not afford the ransom. Daniel shared how he was tortured daily and could not even relieve himself for three months. “I thought I was going to die,” he said.
The kidnappers, dressed in military uniforms, ambushed their bus at what appeared to be a checkpoint. The victims were then taken deep into the forest, where they were held captive by heavily armed men.
After enduring months of torture, hunger, and sickness, the survivors were finally freed in batches, thanks to the efforts of security forces, government officials, and concerned citizens. They have since appealed to the government for help in rebuilding their lives. The former corps members are struggling with post-traumatic stress and health issues caused by the experience. They are requesting jobs and other forms of assistance to aid in their recovery.
