The President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, Rev Dr Israel Akanji, has confirmed that only 45 members of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Kakau village were released by their captors in Kaduna on Friday night.
Unfortunately, four members were killed, while 14 remained with the bandits, Dr. Akanji said in a message sent across the Baptist Church social media platforms.
The message reads: “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.”
Everyday.ng reports that emerging details from the camp of captives freed by their abductors have shown that no military action was taken to free them.
It was gathered 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 iheld 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 Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kakau Daji, Kaduna, were kidnapped by suspected bandits for about a month.
On 31st October the bandits invaded the church during a service and abducted the members.
Three 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.
Already, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)’s Chairman, Kaduna State Chapter, Rev Joseph John Hayab, has confirmed the release of the church members.
Meanwhile, not far from the village where the church members were abducted, bandits struck again killing two and abducting many other persons.
Another person, a former Councillor, was said to have been killed in Zaria.
In the attack in Sabon Garin Majeru and Kugu villages of Dutsen Abba Ward in Zaria LGA, the former councillor was killed and others kidnapped.
