The Baptist Conference in Kaduna has said 121 students were abducted by bandits from Bethel Baptist High School in Damishi, Chikun LGA of the state.
The students were kidnapped when gunmen attacked the school on Monday morning.
The police said they rescued 26 students after the attack.
Ishaya Jangadi, president of the Baptist Conference in the state, said 28 students were rescued on Monday after a duel between security agents and the bandits.
According to him, the school was able to confirm that 121 of the students are still in captivity because they “had the privilege of speaking with a few of them”.
He said the abductors are yet to make any demand.
“We had the privilege of speaking with a few of them. They [the students] counted themselves in the jungle and they gave us information that they are 121 with the bandits,” Jangadi said.
He added, “We met with the parents to appreciate them for their patience, understanding and calmness and to also solicit their support in these trying moments. We assured them as management of the school that we will do everything possible to see how we can recover our students. We are working together to see what we can do. We don’t know what the bandits will say.
“They may call for a ransom and will go for negotiation. We have agreed with parents to supervise in prayers and look up to God in this matter.”
A worker in the school, who pleaded anonymity, said the bandits were about 70 and they gained access into the school by scaling a fence.
“They should be about 70. They scaled the fence and when they came, they woke up the students and told them that they were soldiers who were in the school to protect them from kidnappers.
“So, the students believed them and started trooping out. Then suddenly, they started shooting and ordered all the students to follow them.”
In a related incident, bandits have killed 18 persons in an attack on a Katsina community
Residents suspect the bandits were on a reprisal mission as the attack occurred three days after the killing of three suspected bandits in the area.
At least 18 people were killed by suspected armed bandits on Monday night in an attack on Batsari Local Government Area of Katsina State.
The police spokesperson in the state, Gambo Isah, told reporters that one other person was injured in the attack that occured in Tsauwa village.
Residents say the bandits may have been on a reprisal mission as they carried out the attack after the killing of three suspected bandits by the security agents in the area on Friday.
The bandits also rustled many livestock and set ablaze houses and silos before fleeing to the forest, many residents said.
The residents said security agents had killed the three suspects on Friday, when they repelled an attack by some gunmen.
However, the bandits apparently regrouped and returned Monday night to unleash terror on the village.
The police spokesperson said security agents were trailing the criminals.
Attacks by armed bandits on communities have continued in Northwestern states including Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna.
