Kidnapped Bethel Student Rejected Freedom, Ransom Bearer Abducted, Says CAN Chairman

The Chairman of the Christian Association in Kaduna State, Rev John Hayab, has raised the alarm over the abduction of one of its members sent to deliver the ransom for the release of the remaining kidnapped Bethel Baptist High School pupil by terrorists.

Hayab, who’s also the Vice Chairman of CAN in the northern states and Abuja, also disclosed that the remaining pupil, said to be the youngest of the abductees, rejected an offer of freedom from the terrorists.

According to the President, Baptist Conference, Rev Ishaya Jangado, 121 pupils were kidnapped by bandits in the early hours of July 5, 2021, at the school premises along the Kaduna-Kachia highway, Damishi, in the Chikun Local Government Area of the state

The bandits had released 120 of the pupils in batches.

However, the CAN chairman said that the teenager preferred to remain with the bandits, a development that puzzled the entire members of the Baptist family and indeed, CAN.

Hayab explained that the bandits were said to be showering the boy with gifts each time they went out and come back from operations, thereby, making him reject the offer of freedom.

The CAN leader, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH in Kaduna on Thursday, said, “Only one pupil of the Bethel Baptist High School is remaining with the terrorists. The reason is that this young boy – because we have to be clear with the story so that we don’t get misquoted – is the smallest among them.

“I think the kidnappers were smart. They worked and changed his mind that he even said he wants to stay with them. They (terrorists) gave him meat, good things. Anytime they go out and come back, they pick him among the rest and give him so many things and then he starts acting funny.
“If they (terrorists) tell him to go home, he would say he was not going and gave some flimsy excuses that his parents used to beat him at home. But we also made findings and we don’t want to expose his parents to any noise but that is what he (the pupil) said. We are confused too.”
“But I understand they (terrorists) are playing mind games with him by giving him gifts and convincing him to talk that way. But last week, they (terrorists) asked us to bring some money (ransom) to come and take him. The person who took the money to them was kidnapped. The person is with them as I speak now (on Thursday).
“So, it’s a very complicated situation that we are praying and managing with care. The man who has been helping us to deliver the money (ransom) all this while went to deliver the money to free this boy they were confusing and they kidnapped him. So, the whole thing is taking a different dimension and we need to be careful.”

Sunday Marshall Katung “THE MAN WHOM THE CAP FITS”.

By
Sefinatu Sophie Umaru.

The legislature is a crucial arm in a democracy. Typically, democracies operate a bicameral legislature i.e. a legislature comprising two chambers; an upper chamber (The Senate) and a lower chamber (House of Representatives). A bicameral legislature guarantees equal representation, especially for minorities and the disadvantaged.

The senate checks & prevents hasty and ill considered passage of bills, ensures bills are properly debated, corrects faulty legislation and creates room for more politically & administratively experienced people skilled in the act of law making to make meaningful contributions to the society.

In addition to his legislative duties, a senator represents the interest of his people and lobbies for benefits and favourable outcomes on their behalf.

Southern Kaduna Senatorial District is inundated with several challenges among which are primarily; insecurity, unemployment and lack of amenities that make life meaningful for residents.

Southern Kaduna needs an energetic, proactive and emphatic man skilled in the art of negotiating. A man with networks and acquaintances across the country to adequately secure meaningful legislation that will tackle the challenges faced by residents of Southern Kaduna.

Every society needs people-oriented leaders and Honourable Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) has proven beyond reasonable doubt that he takes the interest of his people to heart.
He has garnered vast experience in the corporate world, governance and legislature as listed below:

1. In the corporate world, he was a stickler for due process, professionalism and objectivity.
2. As a commissioner, he developed and implemented people-oriented policies.
3. As a member Federal House of Representatives, he initiated and sponsored motions which include:
   − A motion that the HoR receives the report of the bill for an act to establish the Nigeria Peace Corps (NPC) to empower, develop and provide alternative empowerment for the youths to facilitate peaceful community service, nation-building and for other related matters.

− A motion investigating tremours and earthquake at Jaba LGA, and setting up special intervention for those affected

− A motion to revive the textile industries in Nigeria with particular reference to Kaduna/Kano axis.

− A bill to establish The National Security Trust Fund for the provision of Military and Security hardware, infrastructure and technology for security agencies in Nigeria and for related matters.

− Advocating for sons and daughters of Southern Kaduna whose employments were wrongfully terminated.

As a believer in youth empowerment, he kept an eye for employment opportunities, grants and scholarship opportunities for members of his constituents and maximised the opportunities whenever they came up.

4. As a philanthropist, he believes education is the key to unlocking one’s potentials and has sponsored youth of Southern Kaduna to seek knowledge and empowerment via scholarships.

Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) is a dynamic leader and visionary that can represent the people of Southern Kaduna in The Senate. The people of Zangon Kataf/Java Federal Constituency who have been endeared to him during his first term in the Blue Chamber can attest to the fact that he has got what it takes to fight for his people at the Federal Level.

Sunday Marshall Katung (SMK) has been greatly disturbed and affected by the insecurity within Southern Kaduna and has already drafted legislative agenda to tackle the situation.

Sunday Marshall Katung is a firm believer in innovation and is highly motivated to try new methods and ideas to carry Southern Kaduna forward and motivate and inspire those around him.

To the people of Southern Kaduna Senatorial District, Sunday Marshall Katung deserves your vote to serve you better in the years ahead.

Let us bring peace, equity, development and good governance to Southern Kaduna.

BREAKING: Terrorists Abduct Catholic Priest, Kill Aide in Southern Kaduna

Terrorists in the late hours of Sunday attacked Ikulu Fari, a Catholic parish located in Chawai, Kauru local government area of Kaduna state, North West Nigeria.

Middle Belt Times gathered that the terrorists abducted Rev Fr Joseph Shekari the parish priest and killed a yet to be identified cook working in the Parish house during the Sunday night attack.

A source who spoke to MBT on condition of anonymity said the attackers shot sporadically when they arrived the parish house at about 11:30pm.

“They came in around 11:30pm on Sunday night and began shooting sporadically.

“They killed the cook to the parish priest and went away with the Priest.” He said.

Details later….

Six Killed in Southern Kaduna As Terrorists Open Fire on Commuters

There was pandemonium in Kagoro community in Kaura local government area of Kaduna state on Thursday when terrorrists suspected to be Fulani herdsmen militias opened fire on travelers, killing six and injuring others.

The ugly incident happened around the government secondary school Kagoro along the Kafanchan-Kagoro road, a witnessed told Elanza news.

The terrorists were said to have pretended to be fixing a bad vehicle along the road, only to open fire on the oncoming vehicle thereby killing six occupants.

Southern Kaduna has been witnessing sustained terror attack since Sunday when eleven people were killed in Atak-Mawei community in neighbouring Zangon Kataf local government area of the state

On Tuesday, some women were reported to have been raped and injured by terrorists in the Tsonje-Gidan Waya axis of the state.

Despite huge security votes expended by the Nasiru El-rufai led administration, Kaduna state has remained one of the most insecure states in the country. Several communities have been attacked leading to the death of thousands in the last seven years, raising questions as to how the funds are utilized.

Ninety Percent of Repentant Terrorists Are Truly Born Again – Zulum

Not less than 90 per cent of terrorist elements who repented from the life of crimes in Borno State have genuinely forsaken their past, Governor Babagana Zulum declared on Wednesday.

Zulum stated this while responding to questions from State House Correspondents after the inauguration of the Presidential Committee on the Repatriation, Return and Resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons by President Muhammadu Buhari.

His Kaduna counterpart, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, late 2021 argued that terrorists do not genuinely repent, advising they must be dealt with and eliminated.

However, Zulum whose State started receiving repentant elements from Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorist groups last year, said those that so far come out to surrender to the government have genuinely shown repentance.

According to him, most of the repentant terrorists are already giving the government the necessary support.

When asked if he was confident that the terrorists were truly repentant he said: “Hundred per cent confident. Yes. While no process is perfect in the entire world, so far, so good, the process has yielded positive results.

“I believe, over 90% of those that have surrendered, are doing well and have given the government the necessary support. They’re also calling their colleagues in the bush to come out and join the process of peacebuilding.”

On the inauguration of the committee to resettle the IDPs, he said: “Indeed, we are so much happy, especially those of us that are in the Northeast because thousands of people were displaced, some are taking refuge in the Republic of Chad, in the Republic of Niger, Cameroon.

“And this is the time that the Federal Government in collaboration with the State Governments of the North East, will facilitate the repatriation of the internally displaced persons that are living in our neighbouring countries to Nigeria.

“The committee is also to look into the management of the repentant Boko Haram members. So indeed, we are so grateful and the entire northeastern government will give maximum support to this committee.”

On if the refugees are ready to come back, he said: “They are over ready. They have been agitating for a return for the last two and a half years. But unfortunately, the enabling environment has not been created for that return.

“But now that the Federal Government has acted when all the necessary resources and materials needed to ensure their return in a dignified manner will be provided by the Federal Government and we remain extremely grateful.”

TG News