A heartbreaking video has emerged showing two elderly men from Kebbi State, including a former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko-Besse Local Government Area, pleading desperately for help from captivity after being abducted by bandits.
In the emotional footage, the victims, visibly exhausted and distressed, appealed to their families, community leaders and government authorities to urgently intervene and negotiate their release, warning that their health conditions are rapidly deteriorating in the forest where they are being held.
One of the victims, identified as a former APC chairman in Koko-Besse LGA, lamented what he described as abandonment by those expected to secure their freedom.
“You can see the humiliating condition we are subjected to in this place. Therefore, we need you to help mobilise and get us out of here, please help us in the name of God[/b],” he said.
The elderly man expressed frustration over what he perceived as a lack of progress in efforts to secure their release.
[b]”If you have given up on us and want us dead, then be straightforward about it so we can give up and tell you our final goodbye,” he added.
According to him, both captives are battling serious health challenges while enduring harsh conditions in the kidnappers’ camp.
“We are in a dire situation. Yahya is ill; even I myself am battling sickness, as you know I have been living on medication. Yet you appear to have ignored our pleas to negotiate with these people. Why are you doing this to us?”
The victim disclosed that they have been forced to undertake long treks through remote forests alongside their captors, despite their age and poor health.
“We trek long distances with these people and we’ve been talking, yet no results. For the sake of God, be considerate. If you’re not willing, let us know so we can give up on our lives,” he said.
In a separate appeal captured in the video, the second victim, identified as Yahya, also pleaded for urgent intervention.
“You can see the precarious situation we have found ourselves in. You know I’m not well, just like the chairman. Yet you have not been able to rescue us. We’ve been abandoned in the woods with these people. For God’s sake, do something to get us out of here,” he said.
The visibly distressed captive called on relatives, associates and authorities to mobilise support and raise the ransom demanded by their abductors.
“Please, for God’s sake, help us end this captivity so we can return to our families. Mobilise the people to help raise the required ransom. Do that in the name of God. You should not abandon us here. Act now,” he said.
At one point in the footage, a bandit standing over the victims reportedly asked the former APC chairman to identify himself and explain his status to those expected to negotiate his release.
Responding, the elderly man said: “You know I’ve been the chairman of APC in Koko-Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, but I’m not any longer. So please help us out of this captivity.”
Describing the life-threatening conditions in the forest camp, he revealed that they live among dangerous reptiles.
“Here we live with reptiles and snakes. The day before yesterday, I almost got bitten by a snake,” he said.
The disturbing video has sparked concern among residents and observers, highlighting the worsening insecurity in parts of northern Nigeria where kidnappings for ransom continue to thrive despite repeated security operations.
As the captives’ emotional appeals circulate on social media, pressure is mounting on families, community leaders and government authorities to intensify efforts toward securing their safe return before their health conditions worsen further.
