Bandit recaptures fleeing student, collects additional ransom

The Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria on Monday explained how it secured the release of a Bethel Baptist High School student.

The Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria in Kaduna State and its Vice Chairman (19 Northern States and Abuja), Joseph John Hayab, in an interview with one of our correspondents, said after the release of 28 students of the school on Sunday, four more escaped from the bandits.

Hayab, however, said one of the four fell into the hand of a bandit, who held him captive and demanded N130,000 as a ransom.

The chairman said the bandit was given N130,000, a telephone and SIM card before the student was released.

Recall that 28 students of the Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state were released on Sunday after spending 20 days in bandits’ den and payment of N50m.

The 28 students were among 121 abductees whisked away when they attacked the school on July 5.

The President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Israel Akanji, said the hoodlums were still holding 87 students.

But Hayab, in the interview with The PUNCH, said more students escaped from the bandits on Sunday.

He said, “Yesterday (Sunday), four more children were released. They escaped and one Good Samaritan brought three of them home. One fell in the hands of another criminal who requested that we should pay him money.

“We had to find money and pay him N130,000 after a long negotiation.  Thereafter, he requested that we should buy him a small phone, SIM and recharge cards. We gave him and got the child released from that man by 11pm.

“So, at the moment, we have added to the 28, four more children.”  (Courtesy The PUNCH, text excluding headline)