Aftermath of Prelate’s kidnapping: Abia to beef up security at border with 4 states

*As Igwe expresses gratitude to God for Prelate’s release, unharmed

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has assured that security would be beefed up around the Isuikwuato – Umunneochi axis of the State where criminal activities have been on the increase in recent times.

The governor gave the assurance while reacting to the release of the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria and an Abia son, His Eminence, Dr. SCK Uche; and the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Okechukwu Michael, as well as the Prelate’s Chaplain, by kidnappers, 24 hours after their abduction.

They were kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu – Leru axis in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, off the Enugu – Port Harcourt Expressway, while returning from a church programme in Isuochi.

Several kidnappings for ransom and murder of victims have been taking place in the Isuikwuato and Umunneochi axis of the state.

Suspicions are high that the criminalities are perpetrated by Fulani herdsmen who are concentrated at Lopkanta cattle market in Umunneochi.

Lecturers and students of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU), commuters motorists and locales have been counted as victims of the mindless kidnappers.

Ikpeazu noted that the location of the area around the state’s 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.

The Governor called for inter-state collaboration with the neighboring states in securing those areas with the goal of stamping out the activities of criminals there.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Onyebuchi Ememanka, disclosed that Ikpeazu expressed delight over the release of the Prelate and his co-victims from the kidnappers’ den.

He said the Governor who spoke with the Prelate, was grateful to God Almighty for His saving grace, attributing the freedom of the kidnapped victims within 24 hours of their abduction to the grace of God, fervent prayers of the Christian Community and the well-coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.

Similarly, the member representing Umunneochi State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, has expressed happiness and gratitude to God for the release of the eminent men of God unharmed.

While thanking all who contributed in one way or the other to the release of the abductees in a statement, the lawmaker urged his people of Umunneochi to remain patient and vigilant, assuring that the scourge of kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes in the area would be tackled through collective efforts.

The statement reads:

 “It is with heart of gratitude that I, Hon. Barr. Okey Igwe, Member Representing Umunneochi, in the Abia State House of Assembly, wish to appreciate the Almighty God, for his sufficient grace and enablement towards the harmless release of God’s General, His Eminence, Dr SCK Uche. JP, the Prelate of Methodist Church Nigeria, His Chaplain and the Bishop of Owerri Diocese, Rt. Rev. Denis Mark.

 “I also wish to thank my dearest People of Umunneochi, the Methodist Church family, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and other concerned people of good will, for their show of concerns through prayers, you all are wonderful.

 “I want to specially thank our Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, for his strong intervention that led to the Prelate’s release.

“Thanks to the Executive Chairman, Umunneochi local Government, the Security Personnel in Umunneochi for all their hard work, timely intervention and show of solidarity in this trying period.

“To the entire people of Umunneochi State Constituency, I encourage us all to remain patient and vigilant. Security is our collective business. Say something if you see something. And those of us in positions of leadership shall strive to do better. We must collectively overcome this scourge of banditry, kidnapping and violent depravity. “

The Prelate, after his release, told the newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday that N100 million ransom was paid to the kidnappers before they were freed.

It was gathered that as soon as the incident was made public, authorities of the Methodist Church Nigeria began nation-wide mobilization to raise the ransom named by the kidnappers in order to secure the freedom of their national leader unharmed.