Thirty-two students of Bethel Baptist High School have regained freedom from the bandits’ den.
Gatekeepers News reports that bandits have released 32 out of the remaining 63 abducted students of Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi, Kaduna state, Northern Nigeria.
The Chairman of the Kaduna state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Joseph Hayab confirmed the students’ release on Friday.
Hayab said, “32 of the students have been released this evening, remaining 31 with the bandits”.
The Kaduna CAN Chairman disclosed that the released students have been reunited with their parents.
Despite the bandits’ promise of releasing all the students last week Friday, 15 were only released, which means a total of 47 students have now regained their freedom.
President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Israel Akanji earlier said “the number was smaller than what we were expecting because we had 78 children out there. They had earlier given us 15, which means 63 to come.
“But in everything, God said we should give thanks and we are giving thanks for what he has done. We are trusting that the same God who has brought these 15 out is going to help us to receive the other 63.”
On July 5, 2021, bandits invaded the high school located some few kilometers from the Kaduna metropolis and abducted 121 students.
After the bandits reportedly collected a ransom of N100m, they noted that the students would be released in batches and freed the first set of 28 on July 25, 2021.
Following the release of the 28 students, the bandits according to reports demanded another N80m as a ransom for the remaining students.
Meanwhile, the Baptist Convention President earlier said no ransom will be paid for the release of the students.
