How kidnapped Methodist Prelate was released

The Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, has attributed the safe release and return of kidnapped Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Samuel Kanu-Uche, and two others to divine intervention.

Upon release, Prelate Uche embarked on victory dance to appreciate God for His mighty hand upon him and his co-abductees.

The Prelate was released alongside the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, and his (the Prelate’s) chaplain, Very Rev Shittu, 24 hours after they were kidnapped.

The Prelate’s abductors must have realised their mistakes as he and his Bishop and Chaplain were released unconditionally without ransom payment, all to the glory of God of John Wesley.

Sharing his excitement about the development in a statement on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onyebuchi Ememanka, the governor stated that their release was through “grace of God, the fervent prayers of the Christian community and the well-coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.”

The statement reads: “The governor is grateful to God for His saving grace upon the Prelate of who is a son of Abia State.

“Ikpeazu assured 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 location of the area around the state’s borders with 4 states of Imo, Anambra, Enugu, and Ebonyi make 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.”