The kidnapped Prelate of the Methodist Church, His Eminence Samuel Uche, and two other abducted clerics have regained freedom.
They were released at 6.30 pm on Monday but details are still sketchy as of the time of filing this report. It is also unclear if any ransom was paid before they were released.
The church is also yet to issue a statement about the release of the men who were abducted in Abia State on Sunday. The police spokesman in the state Geoffrey Ogbonna had told Channels Television that the preacher was kidnapped alongside two others – the Bishop of Methodist Church, Owerri Diocese, and the prelate’s chaplain.
He explained that they were whisked away at about 2 pm on their way from a church programme in Okigwe (Imo State) to Isuochi in Umu Nneochi Local Government Area of Abia State.
In the wake of the incident, the command mobilised men to speed up efforts to rescue the clergymen.
“We have mobilised all the tactical teams to ensure they are rescued and for the possible arrest of the hoodlums,” Ogbonna said at that time.
“We are calling on members of the public to volunteer credible information that would help us in the rescue of the victims and for the possible arrest of the suspects.”