‘We’ve turned to God, government has failed us’ — parents of abducted Baptist students wail

Marcus Angwa, a parent whose child was abducted from Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, says he and other parents have turned to God to get their children out of captivity.

A total of 121 students were abducted from their hostels by bandits on July 5.

Twenty-eight students were released by the bandits last week.

Speaking with the Punch, Angwa said the parents are disturbed by the Kaduna state government’s inability to rescue the students.

“We are tired of talking about the government. Parents are making their own efforts and then leaving the rest to God. This situation is alarming and we have not seen this type of country where citizens cannot move freely,” he said.

“Our children left their houses to acquire education. At the end of the day, they (kidnappers) took them into the bush and the government could not render any help. They tell the parents not to pay any ransom and at the same time, no measures were taken to rescue the children.

“Truly, we don’t understand what this country is turning into. The role of the parents is to pray and leave the rest to God. Prayers are said every day because only God can handle it [the situation].

“As it is, I don’t think they believe in anybody [parents] except God.”

Esther Joseph, another parent, said she secured the release of her daughter with N500,000, adding that she is still in shock.

“She (daughter) does not speak well. I paid N500,000 as ransom. I am a widow and she is my only daughter. She does not eat well. At night, she stays awake and holds me tightly, she is still afraid,” Joseph said.

“She told me the kidnappers forced them to stand in the rain and sleep in the mud. She said the pupils were not allowed to interact. We pray every day.

“I have not heard anything from the Kaduna state government. We have been praying for three weeks.”