—as SEJUP calls on Rivers govt, police to intensify effort
From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha
As the conference of Anglican Bishops close tomorrow in Port Harcourt ,Rivers state capital, Anglican faithful in Anambra state yesterday declared a 12 hours prayer and fasting for immediate release of the kidnapped, Archbishop Ignatius Kattey.
Society for Equity, Justice and Peace (SEJUP), (Anglican Communion) Anambra state declared the fast yesterday at Onitsha after its Sub-Board meeting.
‘’All Christians especially Anglicans should fast and pray for immediate release of Archbishop Kattey unconditionally and unhurt. This is a trying moment for the communion in the country.
The General Manager of SEJUP ,Dr Emma Ezenwaji informed that there is need for Archbishop Kattey to join his fellow Bishops before the end of their meeting today (Friday) as the Bishops would depart Saturday to their various locations.
Ezenwaji also appealed to the Rivers state Government to expedite action in actualizing the release of Katty while urging the Nigerian Police to ensure he is freed unhurt and unconditionally.
‘’SEJUP decries the unfortunate kidnap of our father in the Lord, the Dean, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Revd Ignatius Kattey by unknown gunmen on his way to Port Harcourt on official assignment.
‘’we are calling on the abductors to bow to the Gods command in Psalm 105 vs 15 in which he warned ,’’ touch not my anointed and do my Prophets no harm ,’’ adding that anything contrary to this warning will surely spell doom for the offender.
‘’Our father in the Lord is a man of God and as such will be protected wherever he is hold. We equally call on the Rivers state Government to intensify action toward unconditional release of Archbishop Kattey.
‘’We appeal to the Police in Rivers state to ensure its anti kidnapping squad combing nooks and crannies ensure Kattey is released unhurt and unconditionally.
‘’SEJUP joins our Metropolitan and Primate of all Nigeria, Most Reverend Nicholas Okoh to demand for immediate release of Archbishop Kattey by his abductors.
Archbishop Kattey was kidnapped along with his wife around Eleme outside Port Harcourt at about 10:45pm last Friday but his wife was later abandoned by the abductors. He was returning preparatory for the visiting Bishops.
Spokesman of the Anglican Communion in Nigeria, Foluso Taiwo, confirmed the abduction. He is the Dean of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion and host of the Bishops conference chaired by Primate, Archbishop Nicholas Oko. Anglican Church said it would not pay ransom for the release of the Archbishop who is the second in command in the Anglican Church.
The Nigerian Police said it is combing all nooks and crannies to ensure he was released unhurt and unconditionally too.
