Exclusive: Ransom Paid to Secure Release of Methodist Church Prelate, 2 Others

Matilda Omonaiye/

NewsmakersNG has exclusively gathered that the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN), His Eminence Samuel Chukwuemeka Uche, and two other clerics abducted with him were released after payment of ransom to their kidnappers.

The Prelate was abducted alongside the bishop of Owerri diocese, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s Chaplain, Very Rev. Jeremiah Shittu, in Abia State, yesterday afternoon.

The three were kidnapped along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state, on their way from an event in the area.

The kidnappers subsequently demanded N100 million ransom for their release.

The church in a circular issued earlier today by the Secretary of Conference of MCN, Rt Revd (Dr) Michael Akinwale, and addressed to Archbishops and Bishops, solicited the support of all members of the church to raise the money to pay the ransom.

A highly placed official of the church confirmed the payment of the ransom to NewsmakersNG this evening.