Kaduna: We’ll do the needful to secure release of students still in captivity

The Kaduna state government has promised to ensure the release of the remaining 83 students of the Bethel Baptist High School still being held by bandits.

Shehu Muhammad, the commissioner for education, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday.

He said the state government will ensure that the students who have been freed will write the ongoing National Examinations Council (NECO) test.

On July 5, bandits invaded the school and abducted 121 students. One of the students was later released due to ill health while 28 others regained freedom on Saturday and were reunited with their parents on Sunday.

Six other students have so far escaped from captivity.

The commissioner, who noted that some of the students might have registered for the exam, said the state government was working with the authorities of NECO to enable them write the exams.

“There are students among them that might have registered for the ongoing NECO Senior Secondary School Certificate examination,” he said.

“The ministry of education and NECO zonal office, Kaduna, will ensure that they write their examination at the nearest centre to the students.”

The commissioner commended the parents and the management of the school for their patience and resilience.

“We also commend all the good people of Kaduna state and security agencies for the significant roles they have been playing to ensure the safe release of these students,” he said.

“It is our prayer that the released students put this horrific experience behind as they forge ahead with their lives,’’ the commissioner said.

He assured that “the government will do the needful to ensure the release of the remaining students still in captivity”.