The chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State chapter, Rev. John Joseph Hayab, has revealed that the organisation paid a whopping N250 million to bandits in Kaduna State to secure the release of the 121 abducted students Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna.
The CAN leader made the disclosure at the Government House Kaduna during a courtesy visit to the state governor, Uba Sani on Wednesday.
According to Rev Hayab, the insinuation that Treasure Ayuba, the last student to be released from captivity by the bandits chose to stay with the bandits was mischievous and erroneous because the bandits held on to him until the last kobo demanded was paid.
The CAN leader narrated the harrowing experience the students, their families, the school and the entire community faced while efforts to bring them safely back home lasted.
He explained, “Today, we gather here with mixed feelings—relief, joy, and gratitude. We are here to welcome back Treasure Ayuba, the last of the students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, who [were] marched out while in their sleep in the school hostel and kidnapped on the night of July 5, 2021, by bandits.”
In his response, Governor Uba Sani assured the family of Treasure Ayuba, the youngster himself, and other students that the state government will support them in through the recovery and healing process.
The Governor, noted that the establishment of security committees in schools, the deployment of the Kaduna Vigilance Service (KADVIS) was to ensure that schools in the state were secured.
He said, “We have taken steps to safeguard our schools and ensure that our schoolchildren have their education in a conducive atmosphere. We will set up security committees in all schools, ensure the deployment of KADVIS (Kaduna Vigilance Service) to all our schools, and secure our schools by building fences around the school, among other measures.”
