Kattey’s abduction: Amaechi laments poor security in Rivers SEPTEMBER 9, 2013 BY CHUKWUDI AKASIKE, PORT HARCOURT Leave a Comment Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi | credits: File copy THE Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has lamented worsening security situation in the state. Amaechi described the kidnap of the Archbishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Delta, Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey, as a sad pointer to the dwindling level of security in the state. Kattey and his wife, Beatrice, were last Friday kidnapped by unknown gunmen at Aleto in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State while on their way to Port Harcourt at about 10.30pm. The cleric, who is the Dean, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, second in hierarchy to the Primate of the Anglican Church Nigeria, was going to the state capital to receive a dignitary when the hoodlums struck. While the archbishop’s wife was later abandoned the clergyman was taken away to an unknown destination with his car. Reacting to the incident, Amaechi, who spoke on Sunday at the inter- denominational thanksgiving service to celebrate the Port Harcourt Centenary at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Elekahia, said it was unthinkable that a bishop could be kidnapped in such a manner. The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Tele Ikuru, pointed out that the only way to plan for Rivers within the next 100 years was for everybody, especially the clergy to continue to pray for the state and the government. “It is very unimaginable that our bishop could be so abducted. I am calling on the clergy to pray for the government and people of the state. “The times are very challenging and the only way we can plan for the next 100 years for the state and our children is through prayers,” the governor said. Earlier, the guest preacher and Bishop of Northern Izon Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Reverend Anga Nyanabo, said it was necessary for the people of the state to be grateful to God on the 100 years anniversary of Port Harcourt. Nyanabo described the Port Harcourt centenary celebration as an event that would offer an opportunity to assess the past, chart a course for the future and appreciate the contributions of men and women who had been instrumental to the growth of the city. “We have received numerous blessings from God and it is only right that we thank Him. When people turn back and thank God, the Lord blesses them even more. “The celebration could not have come at a more appropriate time than now when we have unprecedented development in the city,” Nyanabo said. Meanwhile, clergymen from the Diocese of the Niger Delta North comprising Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa states have called for the unconditional release of Kattey. The Chairman, Diocese of Niger Delta North Association, Venerable Richard Okpara, who made this call while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Port Harcourt, condemned the act. Okpara explained that Kattey had not offended anybody and wondered why the religious teachers would be targetted for abduction in the country.
Posted on: Mon, 09 Sep 2013 13:49:21 +0000
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