They’ve released 28, We are optimistic about the release of 80 others still in bandits’ den- CAN Chairman

On July 25, it has been confirmed that 28 out of the 121 students of  Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna state, kidnapped  on Sunday have been by bandits.

The students were kidnapped on 8th July, 2021. Three of the students were released on two different occasions.

A resident of Gadan Gaya village in Chickun Local Government Area of the state, Mr. Jonathan Awe, said the released students were found inside the Tsoho Gaya Forest in Chikun Local Government Area of the state in the early hours of Sunday.

These students have spent 20 days in captivity.The bandits had, reportedly demanded for N60 million ransom before they would release the students. It has not yet been confirmed whether the bandits eventually received the ransom.

Rev. John Joseph Hayab , Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigerian (CAN), in Kaduna state, confirmed the development to journalists on Sunday, July 25, 2021.

It could be recalled that the bandits raided the school on the 5 of July, 2021 and kidnapped 121 students after killing two military personnel.

While information around the abducted students remains sketchy, Mr Hayab said he is optimistic about the voluntary release of over 80 others in the bandits’ den.