They should take me, return my wife, baby — Man |

The pain hanging over Yawota, Alawusa and Ahoro-Esinele villages in Ogbomosho, Oyo State is difficult to describe. 

Days after terrorists invaded the community and abducted over 45 school children, teachers and residents, families are still trapped in fear, grief and uncertainty. 

Among them is a man whose wife, Mary Akanbi, a teacher in the school, was kidnapped with their one-year-six-month-old baby.

Mary Akanbi is the lady with a baby strapped to her back during the attack. 

Media entrepreneur Chude Jideonwo recently visited the community and met with victims’ families, describing the scenes on ground as some of the most heartbreaking moments he has ever witnessed.

In a viral video that has circulated online since the attack, Mary was reportedly forced by the terrorists to beg for help while carrying her child. 

But behind the disturbing footage is a husband left devastated and helpless, waiting in the same community where his family was taken. 

“My wife works at the school and she is a teacher,” he said with tears. “She was kidnapped with my child of one year, six months who she backed.” 

Speaking from the village, he lamented the absence of security and the growing despair among the remaining families. 

“We the victims are the only ones remaining in the community. There are no security personnel, no security whatsoever,” he said.

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Then came the words that broke hearts. 

“I’d gladly give myself to them for the sake of my wife and child. Let them free my wife and child and just take me instead. I’m exactly at the community where my family was taken. Let them come for me instead. I’ll be here.” 

Fighting back tears, he added: “They’ve taken everything. They’ve ruined my life. They wasted my life.” 

Residents also revealed that some local security operatives who attempted rescue efforts were killed during confrontations with the terrorists, leaving the entire community traumatised and vulnerable.

Reflecting on the encounter, Chude Jideonwo said: “The husband of the woman who was put in the video by the terrorists begging to be freed is there saying he would prefer if his life was taken instead of the life of his wife or daughter. That’s one of the most heartbreaking scenes I have ever witnessed in my life.” 

As families continue to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones, the tragedy has once again reignited urgent conversations around insecurity in rural communities across Nigeria, and the devastating human cost borne by ordinary families caught in the middle of terror.

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