How pregnant kidnap victim gave birth in bandits’ camp - Cleric
Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- A pregnant woman, Mrs. Love Marcus, was abducted in Kaduna State, her husband killed during the attack, and she later gave birth in captivity.
- Her release, along with others, followed the payment of approximately ₦77 million in ransom after weeks of negotiation.
- The incident highlights the severe impact of banditry and insecurity, with victims receiving trauma counseling.
A harrowing account has emerged from Kaduna State, detailing the abduction of a heavily pregnant woman, Mrs. Love Marcus, who subsequently gave birth in the captivity of bandits. The incident, recounted by a clergyman, paints a grim picture of the pervasive insecurity plaguing the region. Mrs. Marcus was taken during an invasion of her community in Lere Local Government Area, an attack that also claimed the life of her husband.
She was heavily pregnant when they took her. Her husband was killed in the attack. She was left in deep pain and confusion.
The ordeal for Mrs. Marcus and other abducted villagers was arduous, involving forced marches through difficult terrain under harsh conditions. Clergy present at a victims' support program shared that she was subjected to beatings despite her advanced pregnancy, underscoring the brutality of her captors. The release of the victims was contingent upon the payment of a substantial ransom, which, after protracted negotiations and additional logistical costs, amounted to approximately ₦77 million.
She was struggling, and even when she could not walk fast, they kept pushing and beating her. Each time she fell, they beat her again despite her pregnancy.
This tragic event, which also saw two other abductees die in captivity, underscores the devastating human cost of banditry. Mrs. Marcus now faces the immense challenge of raising a child born under such traumatic circumstances, compounded by the loss of her husband. The victims' support program aims to provide much-needed emotional and spiritual solace to survivors grappling with the profound trauma of such experiences, reflecting a community's effort to address the deep wounds inflicted by relentless violence.
She gave birth in the camp by the grace of God.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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