Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has revealed why the kidnapped Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche and two others were released within 24 hours of their abduction.
The Prelate, was on Sunday, travelling with the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, Rt Rev Okechukwu Michael and the Prelate’s Chaplain, when they were Kidnapped by unknown gunmen suspected to be herdsmen along the Lokpa axis of the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
According to Gov Ikpeazu, the early release of the clerics was due to “the grace of God, the fervent prayers of the Christian community and the well coordinated response from security agencies in Abia State.”
The Governor who said he had spoken with the Prelate, disclosed that “he is in high spirits.”
Ikpeazu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka, expressed gratitude to God for the release of the abducted clerics.
The Methodist Church Prelate who hails from Ihube in Imo State, was kidnapped on Sunday around the Nkwoagu-Leru axis in Umunneochi LGA, off the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu assures 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.
On why the area including Uturu-Okigwe corridor is a hot bed, the Governor explained 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.”
He called for inter-state collaboration with the neighbouring states in securing those areas to rid them of criminal elements.
Gov. Ikpeazu assures that security would 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.
Ikengaonline reports that abduction for ransom by suspected herders has been on the increase in the recent times around Uturu-Okigwe-Umunneochi axis despite heavy presence of security agents on the roads.
