A woman abducted from Gidan Waya community in Kaduna State while heavily pregnant reportedly gave birth in captivity before regaining freedom after the payment of about ₦77 million ransom, according to clerics speaking at a victims’ support programme in the state.

The incident was recounted on Friday during a trauma counselling and rehabilitation event for survivors of kidnapping and violent attacks held in Kaduna.

The two-day programme, titled “The Rod and the Staff,” was organised by Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria in partnership with Palace Alliance at ECWA Kaduna South DCC.

Speaking on behalf of the victim, Mrs. Love Marcus, Rev. Fr. Yakubu Jerry of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan said armed men attacked the community and abducted several residents, including the pregnant woman, while her husband was killed during the invasion.

According to the cleric, the victims were forced to trek through forests under harsh conditions, with Mrs. Marcus allegedly beaten repeatedly whenever she struggled to keep pace despite her pregnancy.

He said negotiations with the abductors lasted several weeks, during which families of the victims paid multiple ransom demands. The total amount paid, including logistics and related costs, was estimated at about ₦77 million before the captives were released.

The cleric also disclosed that two abducted persons died while in captivity.

One of the facilitators at the programme revealed that Mrs. Marcus delivered her baby inside the kidnappers’ camp before she was eventually freed.

Following their release, the victims reportedly received medical attention and psychological support, though organisers said Mrs. Marcus continued to struggle emotionally following the death of her husband and the trauma surrounding the birth of her child in captivity.

Speaking at the event, Executive Director of the Christian Awareness Initiative of Nigeria, Joseph Hayab, said the programme was designed to provide counselling, encouragement and spiritual support to victims of insecurity.

Hayab also lamented the impact of insecurity on rural communities, noting that repeated attacks and kidnappings had disrupted farming and economic activities across many parts of Kaduna State.

Kaduna remains among the states most affected by banditry and kidnapping in North-West Nigeria, with frequent attacks on rural communities leading to deaths, abductions and ransom payments.