44 days after their abduction from a church in Kaduna State, the remaining 15 members of the Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna, have regained their freedom, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev. Israel Adelani Akanji, has announced to members.
Sadly, however, five months and nine days after been in bandits’ captivity, three students of the Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna, are still held.
In a short message to members announcing the release, Akanji wrote on a social media platform:
“Glory be to God. I rejoice to inform you that the remaining 15 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna, regained their freedom in the evening yesterday, December 13, 2021. They were kidnapped on Sunday, October 31, 2021. I wish to most sincerely appreciate your prayers, words of encouragement and financial support.
“We are still awaiting the release of the remaining 3 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna who were kidnapped on July 5, 2021. God bless you IJN (In Jesus Name).”
It was not clear at press time whether a ransom was paid for the release of the latest batch.
Recall that 10 days ago, Akanji, had confirmed that 45 members of the Church in Kakau Daji village were released by their captors.
Unfortunately, four members were killed, while 15 remained with the bandits, Dr. Akanji said in a message sent across the Baptist Church social media platforms.
The message read: “To the glory of God, 45 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna, who were kidnapped on October 31 during Sunday Service, were released today, Saturday, December 4, 2021. 14 members of the Church are still with the bandits. Thank you very much for your prayers and support. Please let us continue to pray for the release of the remaining 14 people. Altogether, 4 members of the Church were killed and 3 were released earlier.
“As for the Bethel Baptist High School students, the 3 students remaining are yet to be released. The bandit gangs are different. We appreciate you for your prayers and continuous support. May our Almighty God continue to bless and keep you all In Jesus Name.”
It was gathered then that the captives were led from the forest to the roadside by their abductors after an unspecified amount was paid by their family members as ransom.
It was also learnt that contrary to earlier information it was not all the captives that were held hostage by the bandits that were released.
“About 15 of them are still with their captors according to our people who were released,” the source disclosed.
Recall that 60 members of the church, were abducted on
On 31st October after bandits invaded the church during a service.
Four of the church members were killed and two injured days later in unclear circumstances, though speculations were that the bandits did it to drive home their point for ransom.