Breaking: Police confirm rescue of 27 kidnapped students, teacher of Bethel Baptist school

The Kaduna state Police Command has confirmed the rescue of 26 students and one teacher kidnapped from Bethel Baptist Secondary School, Kujama, Kaduna state early Monday morning.

Unknown gunmen stormed the boarding secondary school in Chikun local government area around 1:00 am shooting sporadically into the air before attacking the school where they abducted unknown number of students and teachers.

Four of the students escaped from their abductors and returned back to the school.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Kaduna state Command, ASP Muhammed Jalige, said police and other security agencies gave the kidnappers and their captives a hot pursuit following which they engaged them and were able to rescue a teacher and 26 students.

"In the early hours of today Monday July 5, 2021 at about 01:43hrs the Command received a report that armed bandits in large number had gained access into Bethel Baptist Secondary School Kujuma in Chikun LGA of Kaduna state.

"They shot berserkly, overpowered the school's security guards and made their way into the students hostel where they abducted an unspecified number of students into the forest.

"On the receipt of the unfortunate incident, a joint team of the Nigeria Police, Army and Navy Operatives were immediately mobilised to the area with a mission to rescue the abducted students unhurt. The Operatives gave the bandits a hot pursuit occasioned by a tactical application of weapons and succeeded in rescuing 26 students including a female teacher safely.

"However, the rescue operation is still ongoing to ensure that all victims are safely returned. Officers involved in the said operation are charged to ensure no stone is left unturned with a view to successfully accomplish the rescue mission since resources will be availed them without delay.

"The Command is therefore encouraging parents not to be deterred by the recent bandits' activities in the state targeting schools and learning institutions as strategic measures will be emplaced to forestall further occurrence of such dastardly act of criminality against innocent children.

"The Command is saddened by the incident and call on all stakeholders on security to unite particularly at this very critical time to safeguard schools in order to guarantee a safe and secured learning environment and other meaningful businesses,ÔÇØ ASP Jalige added.