Five Kaduna Baptist School students freed — after three months in captivity

Five students kidnapped from Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi, Kaduna, have regained their freedom after months in captivity.

Israel Akanji, president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, confirmed the development to TheCable on Friday.

He said five of the students were released alongside the matron of the school.

“Five of our Bethel Baptist High School students and the matron, making six, have just been released to us this evening, October 8,” he said.

“We thank God and trust that the remaining four students will also be released. Thank you for your prayers and support.”

He also said another student had earlier regained freedom on Sunday.

Suspected bandits had, on July 5, invaded the school located some few kilometres from Kaduna metropolis and abducted 121 students.

The bandits had said the students would be released in batches when they freed the first set of 28 on July 25 — after a ransom of N100 million was reportedly collected.

But following the release of the 28 students, the bandits were said to have demanded another N80 million as ransom for the remaining students.

Another 35 students were released in August.

In September, more of the remaining abducted students were released in batches.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Baptist Convention president had earlier insisted that no ransom will be paid by the church for the release of the students.