Bandits have released another batch of 10 Bethel Baptist students in Kaduna, leaving 21 of them still in their den. The 121 students, according to the President, Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, were kidnapped in the early hours of July 5, 2021 at the school premises in Chikun Local Council.
On July 25, the first batch of 28 students was released. Also, on August 19, 15 students, according to the Kaduna State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. John Hayab, were released on health grounds.
Breaking the news of the latest release on Saturday night, Hayab said immediately the students were released, they were reunited with their families.
Hayab said: “The bandits have released 10 more of our students to us this evening, remaining 21. What the bandits are doing is to torture us.”
It was gathered from sources that the bandits were paid N20 million before they released the 10 students.
However, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has called on well-meaning Nigerians to tackle the insecurity in the country.
Lawan spoke when he was conferred with the title of Aare Akorewolu of Iyin Kingdom in Iyin-Ekiti, Ekiti State, by the paramount ruler, Oluyin of Iyin, Oba Adeola Ajakaiye.
He argued that no part of the country could, on its own, solve its problem.
“Today’s challenges are surmountable challenges. All we need is to come together as a people and face the challenges, no matter how difficult they may appear. Once we are united and resolved, we can deal with most of these challenges, if not all of them, and continue the march to making Nigeria a great country, like our founding fathers envisioned,” he stated.
This is despite the fact that Masev, Ihyarev and Nongov Development Association (MINDA) Strategic Contact Group has warned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against playing politics with security issues.
Leader of the group, Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, gave the warning yesterday during a press conference in Makurdi, Benue State. Nyitse urged Nigerians to disown any group or individual politicking with security issues.
The group was reacting to the last week’s press conference organised by APC leaders from Ihyarev extraction, during which they claimed that the sustained attacks on 21 of the 23 local councils of Benue was as a result of the enactment of the Anti-Open Grazing Law by Governor Samuel Ortom.
