Abducted Methodist prelate, others freed

The prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche and two other priests have been freed by their abductors.

The police spokesman in Abia State, Geoffrey Ogbonna, yesterday confirmed their release to the News Agency of Nigeria.

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Asked if they paid any ransom, Ogbonna said: “I can only confirm to you that they have been freed this evening. I don’t  have the details for now.”

NAN reports that the abductors had demanded N100m as ransom for the prelate, the Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and the prelate’s chaplain, Very Rev. Shitti.

They were abducted Sunday on their way from a programme in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia.

The chairman of Umunneochi  Local Government Area, Ifeanyi Madu, also confirmed their release.

 “The chairman joyfully wish to announce the release of His Eminence, Dr. SCK Uche JP, the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria and his entourage from their abductors.

“This was confirmed by the Lay President Methodist Church Nigeria, Sir Ifeanyi Okechukwu.

“The prelate is currently in a church giving praises to God.  Details coming soon,” he said.

Earlier yesterday, the Christian Association of Nigeria had urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order immediate rescue operation for the release of the abducted prelate and two others.

CAN President Samson Ayokunle, in a statement by his spokesman, Adebayo Oladeji, had said: “If a great servant of God of Uche’s calibre could be kidnapped like a three-year-old baby on a major road without any resistance from the police, it speaks volumes of what our security architecture has become.

“No fewer than 10 clerics have been kidnapped this year alone and none was rescued by the security agencies. In two instances, the victims were killed by their captors, unfortunately. This situation is not good for our nation at all,” Ayokunle said.