The family of Reverend Bitrus Yahi, a pastor with the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN), is once again appealing to President Bola Tinubu’s administration and well-meaning Nigerians for assistance in securing his release from Boko Haram captivity.
Reverend Yahi was kidnapped on April 18, 2014, between Gwoza and Pulka, and has spent over 10 years and 8 months in captivity, according to SaharaReporters.
It was the same month the Chibok Schoolgirls were abducted by the insurgents, with some of the girls still recorded to be with the terrorosts while a larger number have been rescued.
Initially kidnapped alongside his wife, who was later released, Reverend Yahi, a native of Chibok LGA, Borno State, remains in captivity.
The family’s appeal comes after some of the abducted Chibok girls, who escaped from Sambisa Forest in 2023, confirmed that Reverend Yahi was still alive.
A top source from the family told SaharaReporters on Tuesday that they are pleading with the Boko Haram to release Reverend Yahi, even if it means paying a ransom in exchange for his life.
They believe that after a decade in captivity, Reverend Yahi deserves to be reunited with his family.
The family wrote: “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.
“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 member narrated.
