“I Begged Them That I’m a Widow, But They Took My Daughters” – Kaduna Mother Recounts Terrifying Night Bandits Attacked Home

A widow, Mrs. Alice Edward, has shared a painful and emotional account of how armed bandits attacked her home in Maraban Rido, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, and abducted her two daughters, leaving her traumatized and struggling to recover from the shock.

Speaking in an interview reported by local media and shared in a video by Trust TV, Mrs. Edward narrated that the incident happened late at night while the family was asleep. 

According to her, the attack began suddenly with a loud bang that woke everyone in the house.

She said her first instinct was to protect her children. She quickly gathered them and urged them to hide and pray quietly, hoping the attackers might pass without noticing them. 

However, the situation escalated when the bandits broke a window and forced the door open before entering the house.

“They came in and dragged us outside,” she said. “I was very afraid, and my daughters were crying.”

Mrs. Edward explained that she, her two daughters, and a visitor were forced to move with the attackers. As they walked, she said fear and exhaustion began to overwhelm her, and she felt her strength fading.

“I begged them,” she recalled. 

“I told them I am a widow and the only parent my children have. I told them to have mercy on me.”

She added that her daughters also pleaded with the gunmen, asking them to release their mother. At some point, she said she felt dizzy and almost fainted due to stress and weakness.

Despite the pleas, the bandits initially continued moving with them. However, after some time, the attackers decided to release her but kept her daughters, forcing them to continue walking into the darkness.

“They pushed us and told us to run,” she said. 

“I was weak and confused. I did not know where to go or what would happen to my children.”

The incident has left Mrs. Edward deeply distressed, as she continues to worry about the safety of her daughters and hopes for their safe return. 

Community members and relatives have also expressed concern, calling on authorities to intensify efforts to rescue those abducted by criminal groups in the region.

Kaduna State, like several parts of northern Nigeria, has experienced repeated cases of banditry and kidnappings in recent years. 

Armed groups often target rural communities and outskirts of towns, attacking homes at night and taking residents hostage for ransom.

Security agencies have said they are working to address the situation through increased patrols, intelligence operations, and cooperation with local communities. 

However, residents in some areas say more needs to be done to ensure people can sleep safely in their homes.

Local leaders and civil society groups have also urged the government to provide more support to victims of attacks, especially women and children who often suffer the greatest emotional and psychological impact.

Experts note that survivors of violent incidents frequently experience trauma, anxiety, and long-term fear, even after the physical danger has passed. 

They stress the importance of counseling and community support to help victims rebuild their lives.

For Mrs. Edward, the memory of that night remains painful, but she says she continues to pray and hope for her daughters’ safe return.

“I just want to see my children again,” she said quietly. 

“That is all I am praying for every day.”