KOGI, NIGERIA — A kidnap survivor has shared the painful account of how armed kidnappers held her family captive for eight days in Kogi State, during which her mother died before the family eventually regained freedom after a ransom payment. The emotional testimony, which has attracted widespread attention on social media, comes as Nigerians continue to express concern over recurring kidnapping incidents across several parts of the country. According to the survivor’s account, the incident happened in 2023 while the family was returning from the burial of her maternal grandfather. She said armed men believed to be Fulani kidnappers attacked their vehicle by opening fire, causing her father to lose control before the car veered into the bush. The attackers reportedly collected phones, cash, food, bags and other belongings before forcing the family into the forest alongside two other captives. The kidnap survivor said the group was taken to different locations to avoid detection and remained in captivity under harsh conditions while the abductors negotiated for ransom with their relatives. Security analysts have repeatedly identified Kogi as one of the major transit routes where criminal gangs often target motorists travelling between northern and southern Nigeria.
The survivor explained that the abductors initially demanded ₦20 million from her family and ₦3 million each from the two other victims who were seized during the attack. According to her account, repeated calls to relatives, friends and her father’s associates failed to produce the required amount for several days. She said the captives survived mainly by eating cashew fruits because the kidnappers provided little drinking water despite forcing them to trek for long hours through forests and hills. She recalled that her mother had already been unwell before the journey due to high blood pressure and problems affecting one of her legs, making the difficult movement even more exhausting. The kidnap survivor narrated that on the seventh day, the kidnappers handed her mother pain-relieving medication after she complained of exhaustion while climbing another hill. Shortly afterwards, her condition worsened and she collapsed before eventually losing her life despite prayers from family members. According to the testimony, the abductors refused to stop the journey after her mother’s death and instead continued pressuring the family to secure the ransom quickly. The survivor also disclosed that heavy rainfall forced the captives to sleep in the open while the kidnappers sheltered themselves elsewhere.
According to the survivor, negotiations later reduced the ransom demanded from the two other captives to ₦100,000 each before they were released. She said her own family eventually succeeded in raising ₦3 million after relatives informed the kidnappers that no higher amount could be gathered. The account stated that another delay followed because the incident occurred during Nigeria’s 2023 cash scarcity caused by the naira redesign policy, making it difficult to obtain enough physical cash even after the amount had been agreed. The survivor said the kidnappers rejected bank transfers and insisted on receiving cash before releasing the remaining captives. She also recounted that before leaving the camp, her father pleaded with the kidnappers to reveal where her mother’s body had been left so the family could later recover her remains for burial. According to the testimony, the kidnappers agreed, allowing them to mark the location with leaves before leading the surviving captives to a road where they were directed towards the expressway. The survivor further alleged that although relatives reportedly informed the police about the incident, the family received little immediate assistance and was allegedly advised to focus on raising the ransom. Extra News Nigeria could not independently verify every aspect of the survivor’s account at the time of filing this report.
Kidnapping for ransom has remained one of Nigeria’s most persistent security challenges despite repeated efforts by security agencies to curb the crime. Incidents involving travellers on highways connecting Kogi State, Kaduna, Niger and several other states have frequently been reported over the past few years. Public concern has grown following the recent abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, a development that the survivor said reminded her of the traumatic experience her own family endured. Security experts have repeatedly warned motorists to remain vigilant while travelling through known flashpoints, particularly during long-distance journeys. The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have continued to assure Nigerians of ongoing operations against criminal gangs operating in forests and remote communities. Government authorities have also encouraged members of the public to report suspicious movements and cooperate with security personnel to improve intelligence gathering. Families of kidnapping victims, however, often face enormous emotional and financial pressure while negotiations continue, especially when abductors insist on cash payments within short deadlines.
The survivor’s testimony has generated sympathy from many Nigerians on social media, where users described the account as a painful reminder of the human cost of insecurity. Beyond the financial burden of ransom payments, families frequently struggle with lasting emotional trauma after returning from captivity, particularly when lives are lost during such incidents. Security advocates have consistently called for stronger intelligence gathering, improved surveillance along highways and faster emergency responses whenever abductions occur. Community leaders have also urged authorities to strengthen collaboration between local vigilante groups, hunters and formal security agencies to reduce the activities of criminal gangs operating in remote forests. Data from previous security reports have shown that kidnapping remains one of the major threats affecting economic activities, road transportation and public confidence in several parts of Nigeria.
The account shared by the kidnap survivor highlights the devastating consequences that kidnapping continues to have on ordinary families across the country. Beyond the immediate loss of property and money, victims often carry emotional wounds long after they regain freedom. The testimony also renews calls for stronger protection of travellers and more effective responses from security agencies whenever abductions occur. As investigations into recent kidnapping incidents continue across different states, many Nigerians will expect renewed efforts from authorities to improve safety on major highways and prevent more families from experiencing similar tragedies.
