RESCUED PROSPECTIVE NYSC MEMBER RECOUNTS FOREST ORDEAL: ‘WE SURVIVED ON GARRI AND DIRTY WATER’

By NaijaParrot October 12, 2026 

 A rescued prospective National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member has recounted the terrible conditions he allegedly endured while being held in a forest, revealing that he and others survived on garri and extremely dirty water. In a video shared by BBC News Pidgin on Instagram, the survivor described how hunger and a lack of clean drinking water left them with little choice but to consume whatever was available to stay alive. His account offers a disturbing glimpse into the hardship endured by victims during their time in captivity.

Recounting the experience, the rescued prospective corps member said their food was largely garri, while the water available to them was visibly dirty. He said: “What we are eating there is just garri. Like Igbo garri, dry garri with mud water. Very dirty water. I can’t even give my enemy that water. We don’t have a choice, we have to take it for survival.” The survivor’s account highlights the desperation of people forced to depend on unsafe food and water while being held against their will. 

 The incident has renewed attention on the dangers faced by young Nigerians travelling for education, employment and national service-related activities. For prospective corps members, the journey towards participating in the NYSC programme should be an opportunity to begin a new chapter. However, incidents involving abduction and captivity can turn such journeys into frightening experiences for victims and their families. The survivor’s account also underscores the physical risks associated with prolonged exposure to contaminated water and inadequate nutrition. 

 Abductions and attacks on travellers remain serious concerns in parts of Nigeria. Such incidents often leave victims traumatised and raise questions about the safety of major roads and travel routes. The survivor’s account may also draw attention to the urgent need for effective rescue operations, improved security and support for people recovering from captivity. However, details about the location of the incident, the number of victims involved, the circumstances of their abduction and the identities of those responsible were not established in the information available for this report.

 The rescued prospective corps member’s testimony is a sobering reminder of the conditions some kidnapping victims endure while in captivity. His words reveal the difficult choices victims may face when basic necessities such as safe drinking water and adequate food are unavailable. 

 NaijaParrot will continue to follow the story as more verified details emerge about the rescue operation and the circumstances surrounding the victims’ ordeal. 

 Video Credit: BBC News Pidgin via Instagram 

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