• Vows to end banditry, says attacks on communities are reprisals
• Kaduna CAN says N250m ransom paid to bandits to rescue Bethel students
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has condemned the recent attacks and killing of innocent souls in some parts of the state by suspected bandits.
He said the recent killings of dozens of persons and the abduction of several others in parts of the state were reprisal attacks by marauding terrorists.
In a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango Radda, who vowed to make the state a living hell for bandits and banditry activities, gave the condemnation and vow while on a condolence visit to Musawa where about 17 persons were killed by the bandits during a Maulud procession.
According to him, the governor has vehemently condemned the killings, especially in Musawa, Danmusa, Matazu and Faskari local councils of the state.
The governor, while reiterating his administration’s determination to chase and defeat the bandits to their enclaves, also commiserated with the people of the affected communities who lost their loved ones.
He said: “I am profoundly shocked by the killing of innocent people by wicked and heartless bandits in some of our communities.
“Let me express my sympathy to the people of these communities, the family members of the victims, and the people of Katsina State at large for the losses.”
He further said that no stone would be left unturned in his government’s commitment to fighting banditry and restoring peace and stability.
MEANWHILE, the Kaduna State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the Christian community in the state spent N250 million as ransom to rescue 121 students of Baptist High School, who were kidnapped by terrorists in July 2021.
Chairman of CAN, Kaduna State, Revd Joseph John Hayab, who disclosed this when led the parents and family members of Treasure Ayuba, the last Bethel student who escaped from captivity about a week ago, on a courtesy visit to Governor Uba Sani, said there is need to clear the air on the erroneous information being circulated that it was the student that opted to remain with the bandits.
He said: “There was nothing like that as the boy does not look like someone who would take such decision.”
According to Hayab, the bandits took several measures for Treasure not to be released, including twice snatching of those that took ransom money to them.”
“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, that were matched out while in their sleep in the school hostel and kidnapped on the night of July 5, 2021 by bandits.”
“To the knowledge of CAN, over N250 million was paid as ransom to get the 121 kidnapped children out from their captors, but for Treasure, his story became a heart-breaking one.
“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.
“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,” he added.
