A prosecution witness in the trial of five suspected members of the Ansaru terrorist group has narrated how abducted schoolchildren, teachers and other victims were repeatedly moved through forest locations during their 56 days in captivity.
The witness, while being cross-examined at the Federal High Court in Abuja, said the abductors relocated the victims several times as security forces intensified efforts to locate them.
She told the court that the captors became increasingly impatient with the government’s failure to meet their demands, threatening to kill more victims to demonstrate that they were serious.
According to the witness, the victims endured hunger, heavy rainfall and harsh living conditions, including sleeping on bare ground and inside poorly constructed tents.
She said children were particularly affected, with some having to relieve themselves within the makeshift camp because there were no proper toilet facilities.
The witness further testified that during a security operation, the abductors carrying firearms took up different positions while some remained hidden with the victims.
She said the victims were forced to lie low during the exchange of gunfire, fearing that they could be killed either by the abductors or caught in the crossfire.
The witness added that some of the abductors removed clothing and other items that could expose their identities before hiding with the victims.
She said the victims were subsequently moved from the location and eventually taken to another point from where they were rescued.
Earlier in her testimony, the witness said the abductors identified themselves as members of Ansaru and claimed they were holding the victims to pressure the government to release some of their detained members.