The Federal Government and the Kaduna State Government have been urged to do their possible best to rescue the 125 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi-Kaduna being held by bandits.
The Nigerian Baptist Convention made the call on Tuesday in a statement made available to journalists.
Recall that suspected gunmen reportedly attacked the school, killing two soldiers and abducting 125 students in Damishi town, Chikun Local Government Area of the state on Monday.
However, 28 of the students were said to have been re-united with their families while the whereabouts of 125 students had yet to be known.
A statement signed by Rev. Dr Israel Akanji, President, Nigerian Baptist Convention, titled, ‘Bandits attack on Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi-Kaduna,’ made available to journalist by the Convention PRO, Rev. Eben Durodola, read, “We received a distress call in the early hours of Monday, 5th July, that bandits had attacked Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, Kaduna. We immediately contacted security operatives and mobilized other stakeholders for rescue mission.
“To the glory of God, 28 students had been re-united with their families. while 125 students are yet to be accounted for. We have been reliably informed that search and rescue operations are ongoing, involving the Nigeria Army, the Nigeria Air Force and other security agencies.
“We strongly believe that by the grace of God, these students will safely return to their parents soon. The situation in which we have found ourselves is, indeed, pathetic particularly for the parents of the kidnapped students and the school community.
“We feel their pain and our prayer is that God Almighty will arise and intervene in this unfortunate incident. We commend the efforts of the Executive Governor of the State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai; his Commissioners and security operatives in the state who acted swiftly upon receiving our report and urge them not to leave any stone unturned to rescue all the students still in the hands of the bandits.
“We also commiserate with the families of the two gallant soldiers of the Nigeria Army who lost their lives while trying to protect the school and appreciate the Vigilante group who put in much effort to defend the school although they were over-powered.
“Our trust is in God and I urge all parents to remain calm and keep faith in God for there is nothing He cannot do. I appeal to the federal and state governments to intensify efforts to ensure a total discontinuation of this dangerous, life-threatening and embarrassing trend in our country.
“I call on all members of the Baptist family both within and outside the country, and all well meaning Nigerians, to unite in prayer for the rescue of these children and other people in similar situations.”
