The members of Methodist Church Nigeria have since yesterday engaged in serious prayers for God’s intervention and release of the Prelate of Methodist Church, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche, who was kidnapped around the Ihube,Leru and Lomara axis of Enugu- Portharcourt Expressway.
The Prelate was kidnapped alongside the Bishop of Owerri Disocese, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s Chaplain, by yet to identified gunmen.
According to sources, the clergymen were kidnapped in the afternoon while they were on their way from a programme in the council area.
The Methodist Presbyter of Wesley Cathedral, Umuahia, Very Rev. Aaron Akabuokwu described the kidnap of the Prelate of the Methodist Church as a sacrilege, abomination and an height of national and international embarrassment.
Reacting over the kidnap of the prelate, the Minister disclosed that the Prelate was kidnapped while on his way to board a flight to Lagos, after officiating a sunday church service.
The Cleric further stated that the news came to them with a rude shock, wondering how a man of such caliber, could be whisked away into the bush all in the name of money.
In his words “Everybody should know that the Methodist church in Nigeria is mourning, we are in a very sad mood because of the ugly incident that happened on the 29th of May 2022, it is a sacrilege,an abomination and height of national and international embarrassment.
“It goes to show how low morally people have gone in this nation, there is no regard for the sacred, we are trusting that God will use what has happened to wake our leaders”.
He regretted that if such a profile person could be kidnapped, then no hope for the ordinary man, lamenting that the axis of Okigwe, Ihube, Lokpanta cattle market in Isuochi, have become a dangerous area,as kidnappers have taken the area on rampage, adding that for sometime now, this act have been ongoing,as kidnappers have their pitched their den around the area,kidnapping and demanding for ransom.
The Cleric also disclosed that since yesterday the incident happened, churches have engaged in serious prayers asking for Gods intervention and believing that very soon both the Prelate, Bishop of Owerri Diocese, the Chaplain and Driver would be released safely.
He called on the state government and security agencies to be proactive and bring to an end the incessant kidnapping along those areas
Meanwhile,The Police Public Relations Officer in Abia, SP Geoffrey Ogbonna, confirmed the incident.
According to him, It’s quite unfortunate ,stating that efforts are on top gear towards the rescue of the prelate, as well as that of other priests with him.
He solicited for credible information from the public that would help their rescue.