Kidnapped Methodist Prelate, Samuel Kanu Reveals How He Was Released

The Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu Uche who was abducted on Sunday, confirmed ransom was paid for his freedom.

The cleric confirmed this during an interview on Tuesday, Naija News reports.

This news platform had reported earlier that unknown gunmen abducted the cleric alongside other clerics including the Bishop of Owerri, Dennis Mark. The Christian clergies were kidnapped along the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway in Umunneochi LGA of Abia state.

Their abductors had on Monday demanded a sum of N100 million before they could be set free. Dr Michael O. Akinwale, secretary of the conference, had in a statement, acknowledged the kidnappers’ demand, stating that the church is appealing to parishioners to rise and help.

However, within 24 hours, reports emerged that Prelate Kanu Uche has been released. The public was, however, left in the dark as to if a ransom was paid or not for the release of the prelate.

Speaking, however, at a press conference in Lagos today, the Prelate himself confirmed that funds were raised and arranged in five sacks as a ransom for his freedom.

He noted that the sum of N20 million arranged in five different sacks to make N100 million was raised by the Methodist church in Nigeria. He also clarified that neither the Federal nor State Government nor the military or police intervened in his tragedy.