There is a general fear over the fate of the remaining four of the 121 kidnapped Bethel students who are still being held by their abductors, despite appeals by religious bodies, individuals and several others.
Recall that the 121 students were abducted from their hostel located in Mararaba area of Kaduna on Monday, July 15, 2021.
After much appeals and bargain for ransom with the suspected bandits, by parents of the abducted students and the school management, their abductors promised to release them in batches.
On July 24, 2021, 28 of 121 kidnapped students were released after payment of an undisclosed amount of money as ransom.
On July 12, 2021, the Kaduna police command said it had recovered about three students of Bethel Baptist School wandering about in the bush around 1540hours.
Kidnappers, again went into a fresh negotiation with parents of the remaining students in their captivity. On August 22, 2021, another set of 15 was released after the payment of another undisclosed amount for ransom.
While 10 students were released on September 12, 2021, another 10 were released on September 27, 2021 after payment of an undisclosed amount to the bandits.
When the ransom to free the remaining students was paid, only 5 were released on October 5, 2021, leaving the remaining 4 students in the kidnapper’s den.
Vice-Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN), Rev. Joseph Hayab who was at the forefront of the matter, pleading with bandits, urged them to release the remaining four students who have now spent 124 days in captivity.
Although nothing has been heard from the bandits since Rev. Joseph Hayab’s appeal, parents and all stakeholders are now apprehensive with regard to the fate of the remaining four students.
Most painful was the seizure of all networks in some bandits prone areas of the state. Unlike in the past, bandits may now find it difficult to communicate with parents of abducted children for them to know their fate.
One of the parents of the abducted students, who refused to disclose his identity for security reasons told DAILY POST on Thursday that, ” We are earnestly praying to God for His quick intervention, and for the safe release of the remaining students. Honestly, it is not easy to stay in the bush longer than necessary. We as parents are handicapped. We only pray to God to have mercy on all of us.”
He queries the suspension telecommunication network, saying it’s a major problem. ”Parents cannot communicate with bandits any longer, and their minds are no longer at rest.
”I wonder how those children are feeling, feeding and even sleeping in this difficult time. May God put clothes on them, cover and protect them,” he prayed.
