Bandits Demand N99m Ransom for Release of 66 Abducted Baptist Church Members

*Frees one of four Bethel Baptist Students from captivity

By John Shiklam in Kaduna

Abductors of 66 members of Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna state, have demanded N99 million ransom for their release.

Vice Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Rev. John Hayab, disclosed this on Friday in an interview with journalists in Kaduna.

The worshippers were abducted on October 31, 2021, when the bandits invaded the church during Sunday service.
The bandits were said to have taken five of the victims close to the community and shot three to death while, two others who were wounded following gunshots were taken to the hospital.

Hayab who is also the Chairman of the Kaduna chapter of CAN, said one of the remaining four students of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, who were abducted on July 5, 2021, had been released, while three were still being held by the bandits.

He said about N5 million ransom was paid to the bandits for the release of the student.
The bandits had in July 5, invaded the school and abducted 121 students.

A total of 117 of the students were later released while others escaped.
Hayab said the released student, who happened to be the Head Boy of the school, was freed by the bandits on health grounds.

He commended the Head Boy for his exemplary behaviour, saying that he concealed his identity and had vowed to be the last to leave the bandits’ den as they were being released in batches.
Hayab said CAN would honour the student for the sterling leadership quality he displayed in the face of danger.