If we do not pay, they tell us where to collect the corpse: Displaced persons say they face many challenges trying to get enough money to meet exorbitant ransom demands.

For the families of displaced people who are abducted, the insurgents’ message is clear: Pay up or they die.

The result is that families will do just about anything to get the ransom amount.

Although the conflict in Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast has lessened and there is “relative” peace, attacks still occur – and abductions are commonplace.

Ransoms range from a few hundred naira to millions. On top of the cash, insurgents often demand food and mobile phones.

Raising the cash is a nightmare for families who have to beg or borrow money from relatives and other displaced persons. If there’s enough time, they try to take out loans they can’t afford. Sometimes they sell the few belongings they have. Often, they go from motor park to motor park, hoping for a handout from passersby.

The insurgents are ruthless. If the ransom is not paid by a certain time on a specified day, they kill their captives, tell their relatives where to find the corpses and move on to the next abduction.

It’s a vicious circle for many displaced persons. Most abductions occur when they are collecting firewood in nearby bushes or forests. They use the wood for cooking or sell it. Often it is their only means of making a living. If they do not go to collect wood, they starve. If they go, they risk attacks by insurgents. Many displaced persons have been abducted more than once.

Their relatives face immense economic and social challenges to raise the ransom, all the while dealing with the emotional trauma of having a family member abducted.

They are forced to rely on their limited resources and the generosity of others.

But the exorbitant ransom demands are often far beyond the reach of poor families.

Abductions do not take place only in the remote rural districts of Borno State. Residents of internally displaced persons’ camps in Maiduguri, the state capital, told RNI reporter Zainab Alhaji Ali that abductions were a daily occurrence.

Their dire situation highlights the need for urgent attention and support from relevant authorities and humanitarian organisations.

They require assistance in raising the ransom, as well as protection from further abductions.

One family member, who asked to remain anonymous, said: “If one of us is abducted, we don’t leave the burden of paying the ransom just on his relatives.

“It is normal for all of us to donate whatever cash we have but the process of collecting the money can take days or even weeks. The longer the delay, the more at risk the captive is.

“Family members and friends go from shack to shack. Any amount is gladly accepted; some give as little as ₦10 because that’s all they can afford.

“Relatives, well-wishers and friends outside the camp are also contacted to contribute anything they can.

“If the ransom is ₦2 million and the accumulated money is short by just ₦2, the insurgents will not accept it. They want the whole amount.

“You can’t argue with them. Sometimes you can negotiate a lesser sum, for example, from ₦2 million to ₦1 million. But once the amount is agreed, you will not get the chance to negotiate further.”

He said if a family could not raise the required amount, they went to motor parks to beg.

“We usually hold out an empty carton and ask for help.

“If the insurgents give you five days to get the money and on the fifth day you still do not have enough, they kill the abducted person. They contact you and tell you where to collect the corpse. That’s why we don’t ignore their instructions.

“Just two days ago, two people were killed because their relatives could not raise enough cash. The insurgents demanded ₦1 million each for four people. Two families were able to raise the ransom, but two others could not. The result: Two people were released and two people died.”

The family member said displaced people faced abduction “on a daily basis”.

“As long as we go into the bushes, the insurgents will abduct us.

“And they seem to have inside information. A while back, a relative told insurgents that he did not have any money.

“One of the insurgents asked him if he wasn’t the same man who had sold 17 bags of beans he harvested from his farm. It’s baffling but they always know. It’s as if they have spies among us.”

Another displaced person said: “We gather the ransom by going from house to house. Some contribute ₦500, another will contribute ₦1,000, others will contribute less than that. It depends on what they have. No one wants anyone else to die. That’s why we all try to contribute something.

“When my brother was abducted four weeks ago, we were given five days to raise the money. They demanded ₦500,000. But all we managed to raise was ₦300,000. We had no option but to sell his farm produce, which was meant to feed his family.

“Now he has been released, but he and his family have nothing to eat.”

Kime told RNI that her husband was released two months ago after being held for 10 days.

“The insurgents gave us just three days to raise the ransom. I asked for donations from people in the camp, but I realised they are getting tired of giving their hard-earned cash towards ransoms. Almost every day someone asks for help.

“I tried to get a loan, but no one was willing to lend me money because they knew my situation. I sold my utensils to raise the money, but it still wasn’t enough.

“The three days expired but I didn’t give up. The insurgents kept phoning me and sending me text messages. I went from motor park to motor park. I told my story to every person who passed by. They took pity on me and I finally got the full amount.

“I didn’t want to lose my husband. We have seven children. Now he is back home with us and I am extremely grateful.”

Most displaced persons were not willing to discuss their experiences. They said they feared being attacked or abducted again.

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLOMI