The Methodist Church Prelate, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Kanu-Uche, his chaplain, Very Rev. Abidemi Shittu and the Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, have regained their freedom after being kidnapped by gunmen on Sunday.
Their release was confirmed by the Abia State Police Command spokesperson, Geoffrey Ogbonna, on Monday night. Although he did not state if a ransom was paid or not, he noted that he is not aware if any arrest has been made so far.
Ogbonna said, “If there is any (arrest), it is not to my knowledge. All I know is that they have regained their freedom.”
On if any ransom was paid to their (Prelate, his chaplain and Bishop) abductors, Ogbonna said, “It is when we see them that we can now ask those questions”.
The clerics were abducted along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, in Umunneochi Local Government Area in Abia state on their way from a programme.
While reacting to the kidnap of the clerics, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) decried the insecurity situation in the country. The organization also called for the immediate release of the Prelate and others abducted.
The CAN statement from its president, Olasupo Ayokunle, read in part, “To complete his tenure as the Prelate of the Methodist, look at how they are rewarding him. He has been going on farewell visits round the country, to every area that matters in the Methodist church, but the man was kidnapped, an old man for that matter.
“Our appeal goes to the government that they should make sure that this great servant of God is released this week. If truly we have a government; if truly our security architecture is functioning; if truly the security architecture of this country has not collapsed, he (and others) must be released.”
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