Nigerian security forces have freed 163 individuals held captive by jihadi militants, many of whom have now spoken about the harrowing conditions they endured during their six-month ordeal. The majority of those released—primarily women and children—were part of a larger group of more than 300 hostages freed earlier this week.

The captives were handed over to officials in Ilorin on Friday, where they received medical evaluations and routine health checks before being reunited with family members. Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq visited some of the freed women during their recovery.

Among the survivors is Mary Ishaya, 44, who recounted enduring days without adequate food and being forced to bury other captives during their captivity. “I still can’t find the right words to describe what has happened to us. We saw death and suffering,” she said. Many of the women learned that their husbands were among those killed when militants attacked their village in February.

The abductions followed a violent raid on the village of Woro, where jihadi insurgents killed over 160 residents before taking hostages. Locals have suggested that the violence and kidnappings were a form of retaliation against community resistance to militant preaching.

Among the freed was nurse Amira Saliu, who described providing care to about ten pregnant women in forest hideouts under dire circumstances. “I’d no choice but to use my bare hands,” she said, highlighting the severe lack of medical resources.

The release of these captives marks a significant development in ongoing security efforts against jihadi groups in Nigeria, though officials have not disclosed details about the operations that led to their recovery. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as investigations into the February attack and subsequent hostage-taking proceed.