The Methodist Church of Nigeria has coughed out N100 million Naira to pay kidnappers who abducted the prelate of the Church, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu-Uche and two other clergy men.
His kidnappers also took away His Eminence, the bishop of Owerri, Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark and the Prelate’s chaplain, on Sunday in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia.
The Secretary of Conference of Methodist Church of Nigeria, MCN, Rt. Revd. (Dr.) Michael Akinwale confirmed the kidnappers demand for N100 million ransom in a statement on Monday.
Investigation conducted by the Network revealed that the church leadership took a decision to pay the ransom in fear of losing the life of the prelate and the two other clergymen.
A highly placed member of the Church who confided in the Network said that the Prelate is expected to retire in November after committing his life into the ministry.
The source said that it was the dominant sentiment in the church that it would not be right and indeed moral to subject the life of the aged head of the Methodist Church to avoidable danger six months to his retirement.
The source said that the N100 million was paid for the release of all the three clergy men who were abducted in Abia State along the Enugu Port Harcourt Road on Sunday.
The Network gathered that the Prelate in all his travels did not believe in getting police protection so it was easy for the abductors to block them and hold them captive.
The Source said, “ I can confirm to you that the prelate has been released. Of course the money came from the Methodist Church.
“The Church paid N100 million to immediately secure the release of the prelate and the two other clergy men.
“We thank God that they are now back to safety. The church was worried that the man is very old and is expected to retire in November. Nobody wants anything bad to happen to him.
“To keep him there would have been too dangerous a risk to take.”
“His abductors struck and took him away without resistance because he does not believe in police protection in all his journeys.”
Earlier in the day the church had alerted Nigerians of urgent efforts were being made to raise the N100m ransom to free the prelate and the other two.