Methodist Prelate, others released 24 hours after They are kidnapped
Samuel Kanu Uche, the Prelate of Methodist church Nigeria who was kidnapped along with Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Bishop of Owerri Diocese and the Bishop’s Chaplain by gunmen on Sunday 28 May 2022 have been released.
Geoffrey Ogbonna, the Police Public Relation Officer, Abia state Police Command affirmed their release on Monday 30 May, 2022.
They have been released but there is no information available yet, he said.
He stated that he could not provide information on whether a ransom was paid to release them or not.
According to the Punch, The Prelate with the others were coming back from a programme in Umunneochi LGA in Abia state when they were stopped by gunmen and kidnapped.
As the news of their Kidnapping started circulating, The Methodist Church and The Christian Association of Nigeria started praying for their safe retreat.
Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, a representative of Abia in the National House of Assembly begged Abia and Imo states to make sure the Prelate and the others are released.
On Monday, a statement released by Rt. Revd. (Dr) Michael Akinwale, Secretary of the Conference said the kidnappers requested N100m to secure the release of the clerics.
The statement read,
” The disturbing news of the kidnap of our Prelate, the Bishop of Owerri, and the Bishop’s Chaplain has left everybody in complete shock. This is a moment of distress in which the Church must cry out that ‘the Lord that answereth by Fire must be our God’ to destroy all the manipulations of the adversary”.
” Let us all arise and cry out to the Lord! as we engage in Prayer, this is to notify to that the kidnappers have requested for a sum of N100 Million ransom”.
“In view of the urgency to control the matter for the protection of the Prelate and Others. It is crucial to seek your urgent response to raise N100 Million.”
“The safety of the Prelate and Others must be of utmost concern to all and your spiritual and monetary contributions shall not go unrewarded.”
In the meantime, the Christian Association of Nigeria has condemned the Kidnapping of the clerics in a statement signed by Adebayo Oladeji, Special Assistant, Media and Communication to the CAN President, Rev. Dr Samson Ayokunle. He also pleaded with the Federal Government to stop the continuous kidnap of clerics and other innocent Nigerians.
part of the statement read: “This is not a Country one should be proud of. No rational government would leave it’s citizens in a state of insecurity as we are . This situation is bad for our Nation.”