The family of a Nigerian man of God, Reverend Bitrus Yahi who was abducted by Boko Haram terrorists 10 years ago have made a fresh appeal to the Borno State government and the federal government for his release.
Rev. Yahi who was a pastor with the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), in Borno State, was reportedly kidnapped by the insurgents on April 18, 2014, between Gwoza and Pulka, and has so far, spent over 10 years and eight months in their captivity.
Rev. Yahi, a native of Chibok local government area of Borno State, was initially kidnapped alongside his wife and other members of the church but the wife was later released while he has remained in captivity since then.
Rev. Yahi’s abduction came in the same month over 200 female students of the Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok were abducted by the insurgents.
In a passionate appeal in a statement on Wednesday, the family of the clergy said it is again appealing to the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government and well meaning Nigerians to help secure his release from the Boko Haram captivity.
In the statement made available to journalists, the Yahi family said its appeal is coming after some of the abducted Chibok girls who escaped from Sambisa Forest in 2023 confirmed that Rev. Yahi was still alive.
“As of last year 2023, some of the abducted School Chibok girls who escaped from Sambisa Forest told us that Rev. Bitrus was still alive,” part of the statement said.
“We are pleading with the Borno State Government, the Federal Government and concerned Nigerians to plead to Jamaat Ahlul Sunna lidawati wa Al jihad to release him.
“If they are looking for money they should let us know so that we can try our best, and as journalists, you should say something to the world about this man of God Who started work with EYN since 1987.
“He is an elderly man with eight children, two females and six males. He was pastoring an EYN Church LCC Bala Gwoza LGG before the incident,” the family statement.
Echoing the same appeal, a Christian group, Christian Emergency Alliance, also called on the government to do everything possible to secure the release of Rev. Yahi.
In a post on its X handle, the group said:
“Nigeria: Rev. Bitrus Yahi has been a captive of Boko Haram, the Islamist terrorist group, for over 10 years.
“He is not alone – many Christian clerics continue to be held hostage by Islamists. Yet the Nigerian government is pardoning Islamists and allowing them to reenter society.
“Why not require freeing these Christians as a condition? We stand with the families of these hostages and appeal for their swift release.”
https://x.com/ChristianEmerg1/status/1866828553074946476?t=dg9a4c1dMTs8BsU2GDdNVA&s=1
