We paid bandits N250m ransom on 121 kidnapped Baptist students – CAN
The Christian Association of Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, disclosed that they paid N250m for the release of 121 abducted students of the Bethel Baptist High School in the state.
Neptune Prime reports that the incident dates back to Monday, July 2, 2021, when bandits stormed the school owned by the Nigeria Baptist Convention in Damishi, Kaduna, and took 121 students.
However, the recent release of the last victim, Treasure Ayuba, who was abducted on July 5, 2021, was confirmed by the NBC President, Dr. Israel Akanji.
He said, “A total sum of N250 million was paid as ransom to rescue the 121 students. Today, we gather here with a mix of feelings of relief, joy, and gratitude. We are here to welcome back Treasure Ayuba, the last of the kidnapped students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, matched out while in their sleep in the school hostel and kidnapped on the night of July 5, 2021 by bandits.
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“To the knowledge of CAN, over N250m was paid as ransom to get the 121 kidnapped children out from their captors, but for Treasure, his story became a heart-breaking one, further made worse by distorting the truth that the boy did not want to leave the den of the kidnappers.
“For the avoidance of doubts, CAN is aware of the firm efforts made by the boy’s family, relations, and well-wishers to get him back home. To add salt to injury, on more than one occasion, the kidnappers abducted the persons sent with the ransom to get Treasure out of their hands making his stay become an infinite time of agonising pain until God intervened.
“Accordingly, on Thursday, November 2, 2023, I received a call from Treasure’s parents that the boy returned home safely after being in the hands of his captors for 28 months.
“Treasure’s miraculous return is a moment of triumph, not just for Treasure and his family, Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna, the Baptist family, Kaduna State, and Nigeria, but for all humanity in general.
“Treasure’s abduction, along with his fellow schoolchildren remains a painful reminder of the challenges we face as a nation. The kidnapping of school children and students from a school facility is a stark harsh reality of the threats to our educational institutions and the safety of our young ones.”
