“We Are Still in the Bush”: Kaduna Abduction Victims Deny Release After Alleged ₦1bn Ransom Payment

Thirty-seven residents abducted from Ariko community in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have dismissed reports claiming they regained their freedom after the alleged payment of ₦1 billion and the supply of 30 Honda motorcycles to their captors.

The victims, who said they had remained in captivity for more than two months, revealed that they were still being held in a forest hideout and had not been released as widely reported.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed some of the victims speaking with their abductors in Hausa language, where they confirmed that they were still in captivity.

During the conversation, one of the armed men questioned a male victim about their current location.

“We are in the bush,” the distressed victim responded.

When asked how long they had been held, the victim said they were kidnapped in April and had remained with their captors since then.

The terrorist then asked whether they had actually been freed as reported in the media.

“Yes, we are still here,” the victim replied.

Victims Reject Claims of ₦1bn Ransom Deal

The conversation later turned to reports that a large ransom payment and motorcycles had been provided to secure their release.

The terrorist asked the victims about claims that ₦1 billion and 30 Honda motorcycles were handed over to the abductors, leading to their freedom.

“It was reported that ₦1 billion and thirty Honda motorcycles were given, and you were released. Is that true?” the terrorist asked.

The victim immediately denied the claim, saying the report was false.

“No. Whoever said that is lying,” he replied.

Pressed further, the victim maintained that the information was incorrect and insisted that the abductees were still trapped in the forest.

“Yes, it is false. We are still here in the bush, suffering, and people are dying,” he said.

The victim accused authorities of giving the public inaccurate information about their situation, saying the families and Nigerians at large were being misled about their condition.

According to him, the victims were facing severe hardship, including hunger, exposure to harsh weather conditions and uncertainty over their survival.

“We are still here in the bush, suffering. We know what we are passing through hunger, hardship and fear. They said we had been rescued and negotiations had secured our freedom, but that is not what happened,” he said.

He appealed to the authorities to stop giving false assurances and to acknowledge the reality facing the abducted residents.

Over 70 Days in Captivity

The victims said they had spent approximately 74 days in captivity with no clear indication of when they would be released.

They alleged that conditions in the terrorists’ camp had deteriorated significantly, claiming that some abductees had lost their lives due to hunger, exhaustion and exposure to difficult conditions.

The abduction of the Ariko residents has raised fresh concerns over the security situation in parts of Kaduna State, where armed groups continue to carry out attacks, kidnappings and other criminal activities.

The conflicting accounts surrounding the reported ransom payment and release have also increased pressure on authorities to provide clarification on the actual status of the victims and ongoing efforts to secure their freedom.

Families of the abductees are expected to continue demanding urgent intervention as the victims remain in captivity.