Eight Southern Kaduna kidnap victims, including two newborns, are reportedly dead after spending over 100 days in captivity.
KACHIA, KADUNA STATE — At least eight people abducted from Ariko and Awon communities in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State have reportedly died while being held by kidnappers, according to accounts from a recently released captive and information shared by journalist Reuben Buhari.
The reported deaths include two newborn babies, highlighting the worsening humanitarian conditions facing hostages who have spent more than three months in captivity.
Prime Brief Media could not independently verify the reported deaths or the conditions described inside the kidnappers' camp.
According to the report, residents abducted from Ariko village have now spent 110 days in captivity, while victims taken from neighbouring Awon village have been held for 95 days.
The two communities, located in Kachia LGA, are predominantly inhabited by members of the Kuturmi ethnic group.
A former hostage who recently regained freedom reportedly disclosed that the captives from both communities are being held in the same camp.
Among those reported dead are:
Two adult men
Two women
Three children
One of the children was reportedly born inside the kidnappers' camp after the mother went into labour without access to medical care.
According to the account, another female captive allegedly used her teeth to cut the baby's umbilical cord because no medical equipment was available.
The baby reportedly survived for nearly three weeks before dying.
The tragedy also affected victims from Awon village.
One of the pregnant women abducted during an attack on the community reportedly gave birth while in captivity approximately two weeks ago.
The infant reportedly survived for only one day.
The child's death brings the reported number of deaths linked to the Ariko and Awon hostages to at least eight.
The former captive described extremely difficult living conditions inside the camp.
According to the account, hostages have no shelter and sleep in the open, exposed to rain, cold and harsh weather conditions.
Several children still being held were also said to be suffering from illness, raising concerns about their survival if they remain in captivity much longer.
The report further alleged that victims who die in captivity are not buried, but their bodies are abandoned in nearby bush areas.
These claims have not been independently verified.
The prolonged captivity has left families in both communities living with uncertainty as they await news of their loved ones.
While some continue to hope for the safe return of relatives still believed to be alive, others are now mourning family members reportedly lost during the ordeal.
The latest reports underscore the growing humanitarian consequences of prolonged kidnappings across parts of Nigeria's Middle Belt and North-West regions.
Beyond the immediate security crisis, the reported deaths highlight the devastating human cost of prolonged captivity.
Women, children and elderly victims remain among the most vulnerable during mass abductions, particularly where access to food, healthcare and shelter is absent.
The allegations contained in this report require independent verification and official investigation. If confirmed, they would further demonstrate the urgent need for improved intelligence gathering, faster rescue operations and stronger protection for rural communities increasingly targeted by criminal groups.
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