A total sum of N250 million was paid as ransom to rescue the 121 students – CAN laments

Rev. John Joseph Hayab, the Kaduna State chapter Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), has disclosed that the Christian group disbursed a ransom of N250 million to bandits to secure the release of 21 students from Bethel Baptist High School in Kaduna, who were abducted in July 2021.

Hayab, leading the parents and family of Treasure Ayuba—the final Bethel student who recently managed to escape from captivity—on a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani, emphasized the importance of clarifying the misinformation circulating regarding the belief that the student willingly chose to stay with the bandits.

The CAN Chairman expressed that the bandits resorted to various tactics to ensure that Treasure remained with them, which included seizing those who delivered ransom money to them on two separate occasions.

“There was nothing like that as the boy does not look like someone who would take such decision. A total sum of N250 million was paid as ransom to rescue the 121 students. Today, we gather here with a mix of feelings – relief, joy, and gratitude. We are here to welcome back Treasure Ayuba, the last of the kidnapped students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, matched out while in their sleep in the school hostel and kidnapped on the night of 5th July 2021 by bandits.

“To the knowledge of CAN, over Two Hundred and Fifty Million (250,000, 000) Naira was paid as ransom to get the 121 kidnapped children out from their captors, but for Treasure, his story became a heart-breaking one, further made worse by distorting the truth that the boy did not want to leave the den of the kidnappers.

“For the avoidance of doubts, CAN is aware of the firm efforts made by the boy’s family, relations, and well-wishers to get him back home. To add salt to injury, on more than one occasion, the kidnappers abducted the persons sent with the ransom to get Treasure out of their hands making his stay become an infinite time of agonising pain until God intervened.

“Accordingly, on Thursday 2nd November 2023 I received a call from Treasure’s parents that the boy returned home safely after being in the hands of his captors for 28 months…. Treasure’s miraculous return is a moment of triumph, not just for Treasure and his family, Bethel Baptist High School Kaduna, the Baptist family, Kaduna state, and Nigeria, but for all humanity in general.

“Treasure’s abduction, along with his fellow schoolchildren, remains a painful reminder of the challenges we face as a nation. The kidnapping of school children and students from a school facility is a stark harsh reality of the threats to our educational institutions and the safety of our young ones.

“The abduction shook us to our core, leaving us with a profound sense of urgency to bring an end to the atrocities perpetrated against the citizenry, the state, the nation at large and humanity in general. Today, as we stand here, welcoming Treasure back into the loving arms of his family, the church, people of goodwill and the government of Kaduna state, we are reminded of the resilience and determination that defines us as a people irrespective of religious affiliations or ethnic origin.”