Bethel Students: Baptist Convention Demands Unconditional Release Of Students 

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, ABUJA – The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Men Missionary Union (MMU) of the Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of the 121 students of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna.

It particularly called on the Federal and Kaduna State governments, and all the security agencies to deploy all available resources to ensure the safe return of the children to their expectant families.

This is as the Baptist men strongly condemned the kidnap and continuous holding of the innocent students and other similar incidents in the State in recent times.

These were contained in the resolution of the MMU NEC on the Kidnap of Students of Bethel Baptist High School and the 2021 Annual MMU Congress during its 2nd statutory NEC meeting for 2021 held last week Friday at the Central Library of the Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State.

According to the 11 paragraph resolution signed by Dr. Soye Peniel Asawo, Ag. National President, the NEC commended the efforts of the Kaduna Baptist Conference, and the leadership of the Nigerian Baptist Convention led by Rev. Dr. Israel Akaji for the efforts being made to secure the release of the children.

The NEC also saluted the uncommon fatherly disposition, bravery and self-sacrifice of the MMU chairman, MMU Kaduna Baptist Conference, Mr. Solomon S. Baba for stepping forward to deliver food items for the survival and upkeep of the Children.

The NEC further states; “Aware of the huge psychological and financial burden that this unfortunate kidnap incident has placed on the Kaduna brethren, especially the men of the Conference and the toll this is taking on their mental and physical energy at this time, and in other to reduce further exposure at this trying time, NEC resolved to move the 2021 Annual MMU Congress slated for August 17-20, 2021 from Kaduna to Abuja (FCT Conference) with a joint hosting arrangement to accommodate the non-capital intensive elements of the preparations of the Kaduna Baptist Conference men”.

It further stated that after due consultations, First Baptist Church, Garki Abuja has been chosen as the new venue for the Congress, adding that further consultations are on-going between NEC and the leadership of the Kaduna Baptist Conference on the Congress and especially on the safety and speedy release of the children of Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, which is the immediate priority of all.

The MMU NEC prayed for the total and speedy restoration of peace to Kaduna and Nigeria in general.