Methodist Prelate, others regain freedom

…Ikpeazu assures security

PRELATE of the Methodist Church, Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Chukwuemeka Kanu-Uche, the Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, and the Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev. Abidemi Jeremiah Shittu, who were kidnapped on Sunday, have been released.

  The clerics were released on Monday after they were kidnapped on Sunday in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.        

  The abductors were said to have  demanded for N100 million ransom although it is not clear if money was paid before they were released.

  Abia State Governor, Okezie Ilpeazu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, on Monday, expressed gratitude to God for the release of the abducted clerics.

   He attributed their release to grace of God and prayers.

Ikpeazu, who said he had spoken with the Prelate, disclosed that “he is in high spirits.”

  The Methodist Church Prelate, who hails from Ihube in Imo State, was kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu – Leru axis in Umunneochi LGA, off the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway.

  Governor Ikpeazu assured that security will be stepped up around the Isuikwuato – Umunneochi axis of the state where there has, in the recent past, been a spike in the activities of criminals.

  The governor explained that “the location of the area borders with four states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu and Ebonyi makes it attractive to criminals who easily enter the state and also escape through any of these routes.”

  He called for inter-state collaboration with the neighbouring states in securing those areas to rid them of criminal elements.