The Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria,His Eminence Samuel Kanu Uche has regained freedom from his abductors after 24 hours of kidnap.
The Prelate was abducted alongside his Chaplain and the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rt Rev Dennis Mark, along the Ihube, Leru and Lomara axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, by yet to be identified gunmen.
According to sources, the clergymen were kidnapped on Sunday afternoon while they were on their way from a programme in the council area and were released twenty four hours after the church had embarked on serious prayers for God to intervene.
It could be recalled that the Methodist Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu, had described the kidnap of the Prelate of the Methodist Church as a sacrilege, abomination and an height of national and international embarrassment.
Reacting over the kidnap of the prelate, the Minister disclosed that the Prelate was kidnapped while on his way to board a flight to Lagos, after officiating a Sunday church service.
The Cleric further stated that the news came to them with a rude shock, wondering how a man of such caliber, could be whisked away into the bush all in the name of money.
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In his words “Everybody should know that the Methodist church in Nigeria is mourning, we are in a very sad mood because of the ugly incident that happened on the 29th of May 2022, it is a sacrilege, an abomination and height of national and international embarrassment.
“It goes to show how low morally people have gone in this nation, there is no regard for the sacred, we are trusting that God will use what has happened to wake our leaders”.
He regretted that if such a profile person could be kidnapped, then no hope for the ordinary man, lamenting that the axis of Okigwe, Ihube, Lokpanta cattle market in Isuochi, have become a dangerous area, as kidnappers have taken the area on rampage, adding that for sometime now, this act have been ongoing,as kidnappers have their pitched their den around the area, kidnapping and demanding for ransom.
The Cleric also disclosed that since yesterday the incident happened, churches have engaged in serious prayers asking for Gods intervention and believing that very soon both the Prelate, Bishop of Owerri Diocese, the Chaplain and Driver would be released safely.
He called on the state government and security agencies to be proactive and bring to an end the incessant kidnapping along those areas.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, had confirmed the incident, saying that it was quite unfortunate and confirmed that efforts are on top gear towards the rescue of the prelate, as well as that of other priests with him.
He solicited for credible information from the public that would help their rescue.
Also, the news of the release of the Prelate and other clerics came with jubilation, as members of the church, as well as Christians across board were thanking God for His intervention.
