Matilda Omonaiye & Femi Ashekun/
The abductors of the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche and two others, have demanded N100 million ransom for their release.
The Prelate was kidnapped alongside the bishop of Owerri diocese, Rt.Rev. Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev. Jeremiah Shittu, in the Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, yesterday morning, while returning from an occasion.
The latest development was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary of Conference of MCN, Rt. Revd (Dr.) Michael Akinwale, and addressed to all Archbishops and Bishops.
The circular is titled, ‘Re: Unfortunat Matter of the Abduction of the Prelate, Bishop and Prelate’s Chaplain. In Re: Demand of N100M Ransom by the abductors.’
It reads in part, “Grace, Peace and Love of God be with you and all that is yours Amen.
“The devastating news of the Abduction of our Prelate, the Bishop of Owerri and Prelate’s Chaplain has left everybody in shock.
“This is a period of trial 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 Warfare, this serves to notify you that the Abductors have demanded a ransom of N100m.”
Meanwhile, The Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have condemned the kidnapping of the Methodist Church Prelate.
Reacting to the development, Bayo Oladeji, the spokesperson for the CAN President, Olasupo Ayokunle, described the incident as a disappointment on the part of those managing the security architecture of the state and the country.
Decrying the state of insecurity in the country, Oladeji demanded the immediate release of the kidnapped victims, adding that the cleric was on a farewell visit when the incident happened.
He said, “It is another sad commentary, tragedy, disaster and disappointment on the part of those that are managing our security architecture. Nowhere is safe in this country and we keep asking them to overhaul the security architecture but they refused.
“Now, everybody is afraid to travel either by air, road or by water. Nowhere is safe. Here is a great servant of God who has used all his youthful and present years to serve this country through the church. He has been praying for this nation and he is about to retire.
“To complete his tenure as the Prelate of the Methodist, look at how they are rewarding him. He has been going on farewell visits round the country, to every area that matters in the Methodist church, but the man was kidnapped, an old man for that matter.
“Our appeal goes to the government that they should make sure that this great servant of God is released this week. If truly we have a government; if truly our security architecture is functioning; if truly the security architecture of this country has not collapsed, he (and others) must be released.”
Also reacting, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Wale Oke, described the incident as a sad development as he called for the release of the cleric and other victims.
He said, “This is a very shocking event. There is no iota of fear for men of God. Kidnapping an elderly man and a man of God, a principal leader of the Church in Nigeria is appalling. This is a very sad development.
“I want to call on the abductors to release His Eminence, Samuel Kanu, without injury to his person and they should fear God and release him without touching him in any way. They should let the fear of God guide them.
“I also want to appeal to the government from the FG to state and others not only to ensure the release of His Eminence, Samuel Kanu, but also others that have been kidnapped. Those Kaduna train kidnappers, all, we are begging them to release all those with them.”
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