A nurse, Amirah Salihu, who was among those rescued from the February 3 terrorist attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, has shared a harrowing account of her experience during nearly six months in captivity.

Salihu, daughter of Umar Salihu, the traditional chief of Woro community, revealed that she assisted in delivering 10 babies without medical equipment while held by the terrorists.

Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television, she described the severe hardship endured by the captives, including poor feeding, exposure to harsh weather, and lack of basic necessities.

“The kind of food they gave us was very poor. On the first day, they gave us guinea corn with salt and seasoning. Afterwards, it was mostly plain corn, no oil, no pepper, nothing. Some days, we didn’t even get seasoning, just salt,” she recounted.

According to her, the captives often slept outdoors, sometimes near a river, even during heavy rainfall. Attempts to make fire for warmth were discouraged by their captors.

Despite the conditions, Salihu said she provided critical medical assistance to pregnant women among the captives.

“They asked if there was a nurse, but I didn’t initially disclose. Still, I helped pregnant women during labour. I assisted about 10 deliveries using my bare hands, without gloves,” she said.

She added that once her captors discovered her medical skills, they attempted to compel her to remain with them, but she refused.

Salihu also spoke on the motive of the attackers, stating that they claimed to be acting in line with their religious beliefs, rejecting democratic governance in favour of their interpretation of religious law.

She further disclosed that two of her brothers were killed during the attack, which she said was partly targeted at her father for resisting the terrorists’ presence in the community and previously inviting security forces for protection.

“They came when the soldiers were no longer there. From the way they dressed, I knew they were Boko Haram,” she said.

When asked about incidents of sexual violence, Salihu stated that there were no reported cases of rape or sexual assault among the captives.

The group of abductees, 176 women and children, were freed after spending nearly six months in captivity. According to the Kwara State Government, 13 children died during the ordeal, while 12 others are still unaccounted for.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq received the rescued victims in Ilorin and expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives. He also commended the Federal Government and military authorities for their efforts in securing the victims’ release.

The governor later visited a general hospital where some of the rescued victims, including women who gave birth in captivity, are currently receiving medical treatment.