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The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu has attributed the release of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. Chukwuemeka Kanu Uche to the grace of God.
He also attributed the release to the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Governor Ikpeazu made this known in a statement released by Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
The statement reads: “Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed delight at the release from kidnappers’ captivity of the Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr. SCK Uche, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt Rev Okechukwu Michael and the Prelate’s Chaplain.
“Governor Ikpeazu has spoken with the Prelate who is in high spirits. The Governor is grateful to God Almighty for His saving grace.
“The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria is a son of Abia State. They were kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu – Leru axis in Umunneochi LGA, off the Enugu – PH Expressway.
“The Governor attributed the release of these eminent men of God within 24 hours of their abduction to the grace of God, the fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.
“Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assures 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 stated that the location of the area around the state’s borders with 4 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.
“The Governor called for Inter State Collaboration with the neighboring states in securing those areas and stamp out the activities of criminals there”.
Meanwhile, TNG reports the police in Abia, confirming the release of the Prelate, Methodist Church Nigeria, as saying it was not clear if a ransom was paid or not.
Police spokesman, SP Godfrey Ogbonna, who confirmed the release of the clergymen in Umuahia on Monday, made this known.
The assailants kidnapped Uche alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the prelate’s chaplain and the driver at the Okigwe/Isuochi axis on the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
The clergymen were heading to Owerri Airport en-route Lagos after a Sunday service, when they were attacked and taken away.
The assailants had contacted relations of the victims, demanding a N100 million ransom.
It was not clear whether the ransom was paid or not before they were set free.
SP Ogbonna declined further comments on the development, but said: “all I can confirm to you now is that they have all been released.’’
Also, the Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu, confirmed the cheering news to newsmen.
“It is true that the evil men that laid their hands on the men of God have set them free to the glory of God.
“Information reaching us is that the prelate, along with other victims, has been released.
“I don’t have details for now on where and how they were released by the kidnappers,’’ he said.