‘Send us rice to feed your hungry children,’ bandits tell Baptist school parents

The parents and the management of Bethel Baptist High School, Damishi, must bear the feeding needs of the scores of students abducted from the school, bandits have reportedly demanded.

The bandits, on Monday, invaded the invaded Maraban Rido in Chikun local government area of Kaduna where the school is located, and forcefully took the students away.

The attack came 24 hours after the bandits reportedly sent a letter to the school informing it of the impending assault.

The bandits are holding at least 121 students and have reached out to the school to ask for rice, beans, spices and oil to feed their young captives.

“When the phone rang, the bandits first spoke to the member of the management,” an unnamed school official told Punch on Tuesday.

“They said a senior student was directed to count the students in their custody and the boy confirmed that 121 students were being held.

“They also asked for food such as rice and beans as well oil to feed the students.”

Proprietor and Kaduna Baptist Conference president Rev. Ishaya Jangado said the school management has met with the parents over the matter.

He said the school may have to enlist the help of controversial Islamic cleric and alleged bandits’ sympathiser Sheikh Ahmad Gumi to secure the release of the students.