By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ABUJA, NIGERIA (Worthy News) - A Christian schoolboy was back with his family in Nigeria on Monday after escaping from Muslim kidnappers who tried to force him to convert to Islam, well-informed Christians said.
Treasure Ayuba, 14, was among 121 students abducted in Nigeria’s northwest Kaduna State more than two years ago by Fulani Muslim militants.
He and other children were captured in July 2021 during a Fulani raid on their Bethel Baptist High School in the Kaduna town of Maraban Rido, Worthy News learned.
Almost three weeks after the incident, on July 24th, 2021, about 28 of those students were unexpectedly released. “Since then, other groups of students have gradually been recovered as ransom demands were negotiated,” recalled the Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC) advocacy group, which supports the local believers.
“With each payment, some of the children were allowed to return home, and then more money was demanded for the next group of hostages,” VOMC added.
Over the ensuing two years, roughly $300,000 was paid to the captors, according to Christians familiar with the negotiations. “Finally, only one student, Treasure Ayuba, remained in captivity. He had just turned 12 years old when he was captured,” VOMC told Worthy News.
Although there were claims that Treasure “had chosen” to stay with his captors, it was “later revealed that the militants intended to forcibly convert the Christian boy to Islam,” VOMC confirmed.
FOUND BY HUNTERS
“Thankfully, the abducted student was recently able to escape. Walking through the night, Treasure eventually found a group of hunters who took him to his hometown,” the group explained.
“Arriving at his home on November 2nd, he was met by his surprised family. They had no idea that he had even escaped. They were overjoyed to have him safely home!” VOMC said.
In remarks shared with Worthy News, the president of the Nigerian Baptist Convention denomination, Reverend Israel Akanji, suggested that prayers were behind the boy’s homecoming. "Thanks be to our unfailing God. Thank you also very much for your prayers and support.”
However, VOMC cautioned that “As with each of the students who had been held captive, trauma care is needed for Treasure as he now resumes living back at home. There have also been some concerns for his physical health, which is presently being assessed.”
VOMC urged its supporters to pray for the boy and other previously abducted students “as they deal with the aftermath of his abduction and two-and-a-half years in captivity.” It was also crucial to pray and pressure authorities to put “a stop” to the ongoing “mass kidnapping of students,” the group stressed.
Additionally, “continue to remember our other Christian brothers and sisters who presently remain in captivity, as well as their concerned families and friends who are anxiously awaiting news of their whereabouts,” VOMC asked.
Thousands of Christians are known to have been killed or captured in recent years by a variety of Islamic groups.