Three Re-Abducted Kaduna Students Freed After Ransom Payment

Three students from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna, who had earlier escaped their original captors only to be seized again by a different gang, have been released following the payment of a ransom. Rev. Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), confirmed the development in a phone interview, stating that the students regained their freedom on Sunday. According to Hayab, the three had broken free from the bandits who originally kidnapped them from school, doing so three days before 28 of their schoolmates were also released. However, as they attempted to navigate their way out of the bush, they were intercepted and abducted a second time by an entirely different group of bandits. Hayab said this second set of captors initially indicated they would let the students go, but reversed course the next day, demanding N10 million for their release. "When the bandit got them, he called us and promised to return them, but he changed his mind the following day and said he will not return them until ransom is paid. He demanded for N10 million and we started negotiations and they were released today," Hayab said. He expressed dismay that the students had been made to suffer under successive groups of captors, and criticised what he described as the government's failure to bring the security situation under control. The case traces back to July 5, when bandits stormed Bethel Baptist School in Damishi, Kaduna, and abducted 121 students. One student was subsequently released on health grounds, while six others managed to escape on their own. On July 25, further students were released, with sources indicating that a N100 million ransom had been paid to secure their freedom. The bandits are reported to be demanding an additional N50 million for the release of the remaining 83 students still being held.