Bandits release 10 more Kaduna Baptist school students, 11 still held

Another set of 10 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna, have been released by bandits, after about 12 weeks in captivity.

Eleven of the 121 abducted by bandits on July 5 are still in captivity.

The bandits seized the students when they invaded the school located about six kilometres from Kaduna metropolis.

They have been releasing the abducted students in batches, just as others escaped from their captors.

A total of 100 students have been freed, with ransom of over N200 million reportedly paid to the kidnappers by the parents.

Joseph Hayab, Chairman of the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, said the 10 students were released on Sunday afternoon and had been reunited with their parents.

He expressed optimism that the 11 students still in captivity would soon be released.

“Ten more students of Baptist High School were released this afternoon. We have 11 now with bandits. Thanking all Nigerians for their prayers and support. Trusting God that the rest will be released very soon,” he said in a statement.

Three suspects alleged to be linked to the attack on the school have been arrested by the police.

On Thursday at the police headquarters in Abuja, spokesman for the force, Frank Mba, said the three suspects were part of the 25-man gang that kidnapped the students.