Concerns have been raised about spiralling insecurity in Nigeria after the head of the Methodist Church in the country, His Eminence, Samuel Kanu-Uche was kidnapped on Sunday before being freed.
The Methodist Church in Britain had issued a statement on Monday expressing its “deep shock and concern” at the abduction of the Most Rev Dr Samuel Kanu.
However, the BBC reported late on Monday night that the prelate had been freed, although it was unclear how he had been released.
The cleric was kidnapped alongside Rt. Rev. Dennis Mark, the Methodist Bishop of Owerri, and the Prelate’s Chaplain, the Very Rev Jeremiah Shittu on Sunday.
They were kidnapped along Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State, south-east Nigeria, after the Church leaders had attended an event.
His release has led to jubilation in Nigeria’s Christian community.
Soon after the news of the abduction came out, members of the Methodist Church in the country started hourly chain-prayers for the release of Dr Kanu and the other priests.
“His Eminence, Samuel Kanu, is a peace-loving Christian leader” whose abduction “came as a shock”, the Very Rev Nosakhare Nosayaba of Abuja’s Methodist Cathedral of Unity told the BBC after his kidnapping.
Kidnappings, often for ransom, are common in many parts of Nigeria.
There has also been a resurgence of attacks by armed gangs, including Islamist militant groups in the north, as the country prepares for a general election next year.
Much of the unrest in Nigeria’s south-east region stems from separatists who are demanding a breakaway state.
The government blames the Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob) movement for many attacks in the region, which Ipob denies. But the group continues to enforce sit-at-home orders on Mondays, which are usually preceded by attacks on Sunday evenings to scare people into complying.
It is not clear who was responsible for the abductions.
In a joint statement, the President of the Methodist Conference of Great Britain, Rev Sonia Hicks, and Vice President Barbara Easton, had asked for prayers and for Nigeria “where kidnappings, violent extremist attacks and murders by armed groups, are frequent occurrences, and many live in fear”.
By Vincent Kubi